First Year of Pandemic Showed Telemedicine Benefited Less Urban Patients

Medscape: First Year of Pandemic Showed Telemedicine Benefited Less Urban Patients

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, telemedicine was a more viable option for patients living in health professional shortage areas (HPSA) and those belonging to other underserved communities. Although White patients were 61 percent more likely to use telemedicine to see their provider as compared with Hispanic patients, Black patients were 37 percent more likely to receive care via telemedicine than Hispanic patients. Patients living in geographically underserved areas — those living 20 minutes or more from a clinic — were also more likely to schedule telemedicine appointments. The study suggests rural patients benefit from telehealth by reducing their commute time.