Sociodemographic factors affecting telemedicine access: A population-based analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Digital Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telemedicine adoption, assuming widespread patient access to digital technology.
• Pre-pandemic digital access disparities among the US population were not well-defined.
• Understanding baseline internet and computer usage is crucial for equitable healthcare access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of computer and internet use in the US population prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify sociodemographic disparities in digital access.
• To assess the implications for telemedicine accessibility.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey, a representative sample of the US non-institutionalized population.
• Analyzed responses on computer, internet, and email utilization.
• Evaluated associations between sociodemographic factors and digital access.

Main Results:

• 19% of respondents rarely or never used computers, 18% lacked internet access, and 25% did not use email.
• Significant variations in internet usage were observed across regions, age groups, races, education levels, income, and insurance status.
• While 55% sought health information online, only 11-17% engaged in specific telehealth activities like online prescriptions or provider communication.

Conclusions:

• Pre-existing gaps in computer and internet access may create barriers to telemedicine for specific demographic groups.
• Sociodemographic factors significantly influence digital access, potentially exacerbating health inequities.
• Addressing the digital divide is essential for the equitable expansion of telemedicine services.