By Alison Green
Telehealth has enormous potential to improve health equity across America, but barriers such as internet access, device availability, affordability, and language support continue to limit its reach.
In a recent American Medical Association survey, 71% of physicians reported using telehealth in their practices each week in 2024. Before the pandemic, that figure stood at just 25%.
There’s no doubt that telehealth has made healthcare more convenient for millions of people in the U.S. However, whether it makes healthcare more equitable is a different question.
A virtual appointment may eliminate hours of travel for one patient, while another struggles with internet access, technology, or language barriers.
What Technologies Are Needed for Successful Telehealth Visits?
A telehealth appointment does not require a room full of technology, but a few basics are essential.
Most virtual visits rely on:
- A smartphone, tablet, or computer
- A stable internet connection
- A camera and a microphone
- Access to the provider’s telehealth platform or app
Most people already own some version of this technology. That does not mean every telehealth visit goes smoothly.
A dropped internet connection, an outdated device, or unfamiliarity with video conferencing tools can quickly turn a routine appointment into a frustrating experience. The technology needed for telehealth is widely available, but access to that technology is not always equal.
Which Communities Stand to Benefit the Most From Telehealth?
For some patients, telehealth is a convenience. For others, it can be the difference between receiving care and going without it. The greatest benefits are often seen in communities where healthcare access has historically been limited, including:
- Rural residents who live far from hospitals and specialists
- Older adults with mobility challenges
- People managing chronic conditions that require frequent follow-up care
- Individuals seeking mental health services
- Communities facing provider shortages
For someone who lives two hours from the nearest specialist, a thirty-minute virtual appointment can eliminate an entire day of travel. What feels like a convenience in one community can dramatically improve minority health access.
What Challenges Still Limit Telehealth Access?
While telehealth has expanded access to care for millions of people, availability alone does not guarantee participation. A patient may have access to virtual healthcare on paper and still encounter obstacles that make it difficult to use in practice.
Internet and Device Access
A video appointment is only as reliable as the technology supporting it.
Some households have high-speed broadband, newer devices, and multiple ways to connect online. Others may rely on limited mobile data, older equipment, or internet connections that struggle to support video calls.
Healthcare is already hard enough without fighting your internet connection, and the digital health divide isn’t shrinking fast enough.
Language and Accessibility
You can have a reliable internet connection and a modern device, but still struggle to access care if information is not available in your preferred language. Others may face challenges related to hearing, vision, cognitive limitations, or unfamiliarity with digital healthcare platforms.
Sometimes the obstacle is not the appointment itself. It’s figuring out how to join it.
Affordability
Access to technology does not always mean access to telehealth.
Having a smartphone won’t help you access telehealth services if you’re struggling with the cost of a data plan. Another may rely on public internet access or share devices with other members of the household.
Missing a telehealth appointment because a phone bill is overdue is not a technology problem. It’s an affordability problem.
Internet service, device upgrades, and related costs can create barriers that are easy to overlook when discussing virtual healthcare access.
Digital Literacy and Support
Not every telehealth challenge is financial or technological. For some patients, the difficulty lies in navigating unfamiliar systems. Scheduling appointments, downloading apps, completing online forms, or accessing patient portals can feel routine to one person and overwhelming to another.
A missed appointment caused by a technical issue is still a missed appointment. Support, guidance, and clear instructions often play just as important a role as the technology itself.
What Does Equitable Telehealth Access Look Like?
Expanding telehealth is only part of the challenge. Ensuring patients can actually use it is where efforts to fix healthcare disparities often succeed or fail.
Equitable access means designing services around the realities patients face. That may include offering:
- Multilingual resources
- Alternative appointment formats
- Simplified technology
- Digital literacy support
- Assistance for people with disabilities
A patient should not need strong technical skills to schedule a medical appointment. The easier healthcare systems make the process, the more likely patients are to receive the care they need.
Organizations such as Choose Your Horizon recognize that improving health outcomes often requires more than making services available. People also need support navigating the systems designed to deliver care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Telehealth Replace In-Person Healthcare?
Not entirely. Telehealth works well for many:
- Consultations
- Follow-up appointments
- Medication reviews
- Mental health services
Some situations still require physical examinations, diagnostic testing, or hands-on treatment.
Why Do Some Patients Prefer Phone Visits Over Video Appointments?
Video visits are not always practical. Internet limitations, older devices, privacy concerns, or unfamiliarity with video platforms can make phone appointments a more accessible option for some patients.
Does Telehealth Improve Access to Specialists?
In many cases, yes. Someone living in a rural community may be able to connect with a specialist hundreds of miles away without leaving home. Virtual care can reduce travel time while expanding access to expertise that might otherwise be difficult to reach.
Are Telehealth Appointments Secure?
Healthcare providers typically use secure platforms designed to protect patient information. Patients can further protect their privacy by using trusted networks, keeping software updated, and following their provider’s security recommendations.
What Is Digital Health Literacy?
Digital health literacy refers to a person’s ability to find, understand, and use digital healthcare tools. This includes tasks such as scheduling appointments online, accessing patient portals, completing electronic forms, and participating in virtual visits.
Telehealth and the Future of Health Equity
Telehealth can bring healthcare closer to people who have historically faced barriers to care. Reaching that goal will require more than technology alone. Health equity gains will depend on whether virtual care works for the people who stand to benefit from it most.
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