Jonathan Sachs|Peter Graven|Jeffrey A. Gold|Steven Z. Kassakian
Disparities in telephone and video telehealth engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic
Oregon Health & Science University|Oregon Health & Science University|Oregon Health & Science University|Oregon Health & Science University
covid19 pandemic subsequent expansion telehealth may exacerbating inequities ambulatory care access due institutional structural barriers conduct repeat crosssectional analysis ambulatory patients evaluate demographic disparities utilization telehealth modalitiesthe ambulatory patient population oregon health science university portland usa examined june 1 september 30 2019 reference period 2020 study period first assess changes demographic representation evaluate disparities utilization telephone video care modalities using logistic regressionbetween 2019 2020 periods patient video utilization increased 02 31 telephone use increased 25 25 also small significant decline representation males asians medicaid medicare nonenglish speaking patients amongst telehealth users adjusted odds video participation significantly lower black american indian male prefer nonenglish language medicaid medicare oldera large portion ambulatory patients shifted telehealth modalities pandemic seniors nonenglish speakers black patients reliant telephone video care differences telehealth adoption vulnerable populations demonstrate tendency toward disparities occur expansion telehealth suggest structural biasesorganizations actively monitor utilization telehealth modalities develop bestpractice guidelines order mitigate exacerbation inequities