Health Inequities Revealed by Remote Care Models in Urban and Rural Populations

Ghatoth Mishra

Abstract: Health inequities highlighted by telemedicine services during COVID-19 are analyzed across urban and rural populations in the United States. Four research questions, aligned with a conceptual framework defining remote care and key concepts, structure the investigation. A review of telemedicine networks for an urban population documents service availability; assesses technologies, digital literacy, engagement, and barriers; and compares clinical and quality outcomes with traditional care. A parallel analysis of rural areas focuses on infrastructure and connectivity accessibility, service availability and distribution, clinical outcomes, and quality. COVID-19 triggered rapid and dedicated efforts to broaden remote care to address safety during the pandemic. Unequal access and patient engagement in urban areas may affect clinical outcomes and quality metrics. Utilization patterns and health outcomes in rural areas remain understudied. Understanding the challenges and opportunities of urban and rural populations may illuminate the strengths and weaknesses of the newly adopted remote care technologies and service delivery models and guide equitable policies and practices. Although telemedicine may reduce health inequities through wider access, lower costs, and greater convenience, social determinants of health can simultaneously exert a strong negative force.

Keywords: Telemedicine Equity, Urban Rural Disparities, Remote Care Access, Digital Health Infrastructure, Connectivity Gaps

How to Cite?: Ghatoth Mishra, "Health Inequities Revealed by Remote Care Models in Urban and Rural Populations", Volume 9 Issue 12, December 2020, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1958-1967, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MS2012173456, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MS2012173456