Ian Litchfield|David Shukla|Sheila Greenfield
Impact of COVID-19 on the digital divide: a rapid review
University of Birmingham|NIHR Clinical Research Network|University of Birmingham|University of Birmingham
objective increased reliance digital technologies deliver healthcare result covid19 pandemic meant preexisting disparities digital access utilisation healthcare might exacerbated disadvantaged patient populations aim rapid review identify digital divide manifest first wave pandemic highlight areas might usefully addressed remainder pandemic beyond design rapid review narrative synthesis data sources major medical databases including pubmed embase google scholar searched alongside hand search bibliographies eligibility criteria original research papers available english described studies conducted wave 1 covid pandemic reported 1 march 2020 31 july 2021 results search described using preferred reporting items systematic reviews metaanalyses identified nine studies results presented within refined framework describing three key domains digital divide 1 digital access within one study described continuing issues internet connectivity among vulnerable patients uk 2 digital literacy seven studies described ethnic minorities elderly less likely use digital technologies accessing care 3 digital assimilation one study described video technologies reduce feelings isolation another elderly black males likely group share information covid19 social media platforms conclusions early phase pandemic developed world familiar difficulties utilisation digital healthcare among elderly ethnic minorities continued observed reminder digital divide persistent challenge needs urgently addressed considering likelihood many instances digital technologies likely remain centre healthcare delivery