Centering Health Equity in Telemedicine

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Equity Studies
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Systemic racism and racial injustices necessitate fundamental restructuring of healthcare systems to achieve health equity.
• Telemedicine adoption disparities among racial/ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic groups emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Telemedicine is evolving into a new standard of care post-pandemic, highlighting the need for equitable access and utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a health equity framework for healthcare organizations.
• To present actionable strategies for achieving telemedicine equity.
• To address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's health equity framework.
• Applying the framework to the domain of telemedicine equity.
• Detailing approaches across organizational priorities, structures, processes, social determinants of health, institutional racism, and community partnerships.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive framework for advancing health equity within healthcare organizations.
• Specific strategies for ensuring equitable telemedicine access and utilization.
• Identification of key areas for intervention, including organizational strategy, operational processes, social determinants, and community engagement.

Conclusions:

• Fundamental restructuring of healthcare systems is essential for achieving racial/ethnic health equity.
• Telemedicine equity requires a multi-domain approach integrated into organizational strategy and practice.
• Addressing systemic racism and fostering partnerships are critical for equitable healthcare delivery.