Socioeconomic and Demographic Disparities in the Use of Telemedicine for Ophthalmic Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

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Non‐English Language Preference Associated With Decreased Rheumatology Telehealth Use During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

“…In accordance with previously published studies ( 7 , 8 , 9 ), we observed decreased video use among patients preferring non‐English languages. Decreased video visit use did not appear to reflect reduced access to care, because language preference was similar in pre‐COVID‐19 and COVID‐19 periods, and patients preferring non‐English languages were not less likely than English‐preferring patients to have completed visits in both periods.…”

“…Outside of rheumatology, disparities in telehealth are well documented, with lower rates of access or use among people who are Black, Latinx, older, or poor ( 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ). In addition, non‐English language preference has been associated with lower telehealth use in several US‐based studies ( 9 , 10 , 11 ). Similar disparities have been described for PP access and use ( 12 , 13 , 14 ).…”

Barriers to Care in the Treatment of Glaucoma: Socioeconomic Elements That Impact the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes in Glaucoma Patients

“…The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in patient visits across all medical specialties, but ophthalmology practices showed the greatest decline [ 29 ]. The pandemic has impacted the health and economic status of at-risk communities, and socioeconomic barriers cause disparities in the use of telemedicine [ 30 ]. In a study from 2021, it was found that racial minorities and older patients were less likely to use live video visits for eye care during the initial wave of the pandemic.…”

Neuroethics in the Era of Teleneurology

“…If not proactively addressed, these disparities may preclude equitable access to teleneurology services across diverse populations and potentially exacerbate pre-existing health care inequalities, particularly among underserved minority populations, elderly patients, and patients with low health literacy or digital literacy. 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 It is estimated that over one in four Americans lack access to requisite technologies or digital literacy to engage in telemedicine visits, raising concerns that patients who are most vulnerable and in need of enhanced health care access may be the ones who are least likely to benefit from the advent of telemedicine technologies. 90 These issues are further magnified in considering access to teleneurology in less developed countries.…”