Equity in virtual urgent care: lessons from health system-based models

Virtual urgent care (VUC) is a leading sector of the US$12·2 billion US virtual health-care market, often improving access by reducing geographical barriers, lowering costs, and expanding availability. However, treating all VUC models as equivalent in research, practice, and policy is misleading and potentially harmful. VUC models vary substantially across health-care systems, influencing care delivery, cost, and patient access. Overlooking these differences could exacerbate health-care disparities. In this Viewpoint, we describe several VUC models across three health systems and apply Penchansky and Thomas' five key access dimensions-availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability-to highlight how different models uniquely affect health-care equity. To ensure VUC reaches all patients, health systems should tailor models to diverse population needs and address barriers such as technology access and digital literacy. Future research should examine how various VUC designs affect health equity and test strategies to better meet the needs of underserved communities.