Despite the widespread adoption telehealth saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, many telehealth deployments still fall short of real user-friendliness and provide less than ideal patient experiences, especially for certain populations that might have less access to reliable Internet or less experience with telecommunications.

On this episode, guest host and Healthcare IT News Senior Editor Kat Jercich welcomes Amy Sheon, research director at the Telehealth Equity Coalition, to discuss this important topic.

This episode is brought to you by BlueJeans.

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Talking points:

• For whom is telehealth not working?
• Why it took health systems some time to tumble to their equity challenges.
• Testing devices on the right groups.
• Community health workers might be the key to reaching difficult populations.
• The Telehealth Equity Coalition.
• Other resources available for people making telehealth offerings more equitable.
• Equity issues around Internet access and digital redlining.
• What can telehealth vendors do?
• Policy solutions for health equity.
• Telehealth accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Asynchronous communication as an accommodation.

More about this episode:

To achieve healthcare equity, telehealth must be expanded to rural and underserved communities

Telehealth used less in disadvantaged areas, Health Affairs study finds

Eliminating audio-only telehealth coverage could put safety net clinics at risk

Women are less likely to use video for telehealth care

Telehealth may worsen digital divide for people with disabilities

Telehealth has enabled wider access during COVID-19 – but not for everyone

Could telehealth worsen inequity? 'Not under my watch,' says HHS Sec. Becerra

Hims & Hers, ATA, and 10 others launch Telehealth Equity Coalition