Beyond broadband: digital inclusion as a driver of inequities in access to rural cancer care

DeGuzman, Pamela B.; Bernacchi, Veronica; Cupp, C Allen; Dunn, Bruce L.; Ghamandi, B J Ferrebee; Hinton, Ivora; Jameson, Mark J.; Lewandowski, Debra Lynn; Sheffield, Christi

doi:10.1007/s11764-020-00874-y

Cited by 50 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Over one third of rural residents lack home‐based access to 25/3 Mbps speed, and 12.9% have no access at all (Virginia Broadband Advisory Council, 2017). Virginia has at least one public library in every county, and the majority of residents live within a 30 min drive of at least one library (DeGuzman et al, 2020).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although telemedicine offers tremendous promise to connect rural patients with health care providers, access to home‐based telemedicine in the United States is inequitably distributed due to the limited reach of fixed broadband (DeGuzman et al, 2020). The gap between people who have easy access to the internet and those who do not is commonly referred to as the digital divide (Bertot, Real, & Jaeger, 2016; LaRose, Gregg, Strover, Straubhaar, & Carpenter, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of rural public libraries to address telemedicine inequities

DeGuzman

Siegfried

Leimkuhler

2020

Public Health Nursing

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Access to home‐based telemedicine is inequitably distributed in the United States due to the limited reach of fixed broadband in rural areas. Public libraries typically offer patrons free access to broadband. Libraries, particularly those in rural regions, need to be evaluated as sites for patients to connect to a health care provider over a video visit. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the technological readiness of public libraries to provide telemedicine support and to determine differences in readiness between rural and urban public libraries. We distributed a survey to Virginia librarians to evaluate technological readiness of their libraries to support telemedicine. Respondents from 39 libraries completed the survey, approximately one third of which were in rural or small urban areas. All reported fixed broadband, at least four computers, and staff to assist with technology. Eighty‐five percent of surveyed libraries reported sufficient broadband speed and a private room available to patrons. There were no significant differences between rural and urban status for any of the library characteristics. Virginia public libraries may have infrastructure necessary to support patrons connecting to telemedicine. Libraries may benefit from systematic guidelines for collaborating with health providers to support telemedicine implementation across geographic and socioeconomically diverse areas.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of rural public libraries to address telemedicine inequities

DeGuzman

Siegfried

Leimkuhler

2020

Public Health Nursing

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“…While advances in telehealth offer potential for psychosocial care, challenges include variation in patients' comfort with and access to technology. [8][9][10] Operational efforts therefore focused on ensuring patient safety, confidentiality, quality of experience, comfort with technology, and engagement ( Table 1). Cancer survivors need patient-centered flexible, accessible programs that meet emotional, physical, and spiritual needs, and more survivors may be reached by telehealth-based offerings, particularly if access to the internet is expanded.…”

Section: Transitioning To Telehealthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cancer survivors need patient-centered flexible, accessible programs that meet emotional, physical, and spiritual needs, and more survivors may be reached by telehealth-based offerings, particularly if access to the internet is expanded. 1,2,9,10 It is important to note that sustainability will rely on continued institutional support and reimbursement for telehealth-based behavioral health group services.…”

Section: Transitioning To Telehealthmentioning

confidence: 99%

"Soup cans, brooms, and Zoom:" Rapid conversion of a cancer survivorship program to telehealth during COVID‐19

et al. 2020

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“…There is a danger that existing disparities in access to technologies, such as high-speed Internet, smartphones, and home computers, may be perpetuated in disparate telehealth access to PTs/PTAs. 11 In addition, the level of comfort with the use of technologies can be a barrier to effective telehealth PT care, particularly among elderly populations. 10 We need to develop and maintain awareness of how these disparities affect the communities that we serve and have the flexibility to engage with patients via their preferred communication method.…”

Section: The Presentmentioning

confidence: 99%