Improving Access to Care for Vulnerable Missourians: The Hotspot Project

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Rural areas face significant barriers to healthcare access and broadband connectivity, creating
• health and technology deserts.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these vulnerabilities for rural residents due to social distancing measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of providing internet hotspots to rural and underserved populations in Missouri for enhancing telehealth access.
• To evaluate the utility and user satisfaction of a hotspot distribution program aimed at improving digital health equity.

Main Methods:

• Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots were distributed to Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers and Community Mental Health Centers in Missouri.
• Surveys were administered to clinic administrators between January and June 2021 to gather data on hotspot usage, technical performance, and overall project satisfaction.
• Analysis included quantitative data on hotspot distribution and usage, alongside qualitative feedback from open-ended survey responses.

Main Results:

• Over 77% of the 10,345 ordered hotspots were distributed, with an average of 5,915 monthly video visits facilitated.
• The project enabled convenient access to both routine and specialty telehealth services, reducing patient and staff exposure to COVID-19.
• While a few technical issues were reported, overall satisfaction was high, with noted decreases in no-show appointments and increased patient access to educational resources.

Conclusions:

• Internet connectivity is crucial for ensuring access to care in rural and underserved communities.
• The hotspot distribution project successfully provided vital telehealth access for vulnerable Missourians during a public health emergency.
• Bridging the digital divide through such initiatives is essential for health equity.