Telehealth has become a crucial tool in the healthcare industry, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the shift towards telehealth services, it is important to address barriers to adoption among diverse patient populations. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University introduces a novel screening tool to measure digital health readiness, aiming to tackle these barriers effectively.
The Digital Health Readiness Screener developed by the research team consists of 24 items that assess technical readiness and quality of care concerns. This tool was tested with 304 patients, revealing that patients with higher levels of education and younger age had greater technical readiness. Additionally, patients with high health literacy scores displayed higher overall readiness for telehealth.
Dr. Kristin Rising, the senior author of the study, emphasizes the importance of understanding various factors that impact a patient’s ability and willingness to use telehealth. Factors such as trust in technology and access to private spaces for telehealth consultations are essential considerations. The ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone receives the necessary tools and education to make informed decisions about telehealth usage.
While the Digital Health Readiness Screener is a significant step towards digital health equity, more work is needed to test it across different patient populations. Dr. Rising and her team are focused on developing interventions tailored to address the barriers identified by the screener. By administering this tool during health care encounters, healthcare providers can target interventions effectively based on each patient’s specific needs.
In addition to the screener, efforts are being made by the Jefferson Digital Onboarding Taskforce to support hospitalized patients in signing up for and using the patient portal. This initiative aims to increase digital literacy among patients and build trust in the healthcare system. Dr. Rising envisions a future where the Digital Health Readiness Screener is routinely used in healthcare settings to improve access and equity in telehealth services.
Overall, the development of the Digital Health Readiness Screener marks a significant milestone in addressing barriers to telehealth adoption. By identifying and quantifying factors that influence patient readiness for telehealth, healthcare providers can tailor interventions to improve access and equity in digital health services. This tool has the potential to pave the way for a more inclusive and efficient healthcare system.
