Making telehealth usable for everyone — with Amy Sheon

Despite the widespread adoption telehealth saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, many telehealth deployments still fall short of real user-friendliness, providing less-than-ideal patient experiences, especially for certain populations that might have less access to reliable internet or less experience with telecommunications.On this episode, guest host and Healthcare IT News Senior Editor Kat Jercich welcomes Amy Sheon, research director at the Telehealth Equity Coalition, to discuss this  important topic.This episode is brought to you by BlueJeans.Talking points:For whom is telehealth not working?Why it took health systems some time to tumble to their equity challengesTesting devices on the right groupsCommunity health workers might be the key to reaching difficult populationsThe Telehealth Equity CoalitionOther resources available for people making telehealth offerings more equitableEquity issues around internet access and digital redliningWhat can telehealth vendors do?Policy solutions for health equityTelehealth accessibility for people with disabilitiesAsynchronous communication as an accommodationMore about this episode:To achieve healthcare equity, telehealth must be expanded to rural and underserved communities Telehealth used less in disadvantaged areas, Health Affairs study findsEliminating audio-only telehealth coverage could put safety net clinics at riskWomen are less likely to use video for telehealth careTelehealth may worsen digital divide for people with disabilitiesTelehealth has enabled wider access during COVID-19 – but not for everyoneCould telehealth worsen inequity? 'Not under my watch,' says HHS Sec. BecerraHims & Hers, ATA, and 10 others launch Telehealth Equity Coalition