Trends and geographic differences in social work telehealth utilization

Area of Science:

• Social Work
• Health Services Research
• Telehealth

Background:

• Social work services are crucial for Veteran healthcare.
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth in healthcare.
• Understanding geographic disparities in telehealth access is essential for equitable care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in social work telehealth utilization among U.S. Veterans.
• To investigate the association between geographic factors (rurality, neighborhood disadvantage) and telehealth use (audio vs. video).

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from a U.S. national social work staffing program.
• Employed linear probability models to examine telehealth use patterns.
• Assessed telehealth usage in relation to geographic variables.

Main Results:

• Social work telehealth use significantly increased among Veterans during the pandemic.
• No geographic disparities were observed in telephone telehealth use.
• Video telehealth use was notably lower in isolated rural areas and highly disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Conclusions:

• The findings highlight a digital divide in video telehealth access for certain Veteran populations.
• Targeted outreach initiatives are recommended to overcome barriers faced by Veterans in rural and disadvantaged settings.
• Ensuring equitable access to video telehealth is vital for comprehensive Veteran care.