Hartzell Sarah Yt
School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA.
J Med Access. 2022 Apr 3;6:27550834221085878. doi: 10.1177/27550834221085878. eCollection 2022 Jan-Dec.
Stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic have increased patients' reliance on virtual physician visits, via telemedicine. Telemedicine has benefits of use during the pandemic and has benefits outside of the pandemic. It is underutilized in certain types of medical organizations, providers, and among specific populations in the United States. It is important to understand the barriers to incorporating telemedicine effectively in the areas that it is underutilized, especially in rural locations. The researcher discussed the telemedicine expansion for two family practice doctors in Fairbanks, Alaska (AK). The family practice doctors experienced barriers that partially echo what has been stated in research. Research suggests that changes to Medicare and Medicaid telemedicine policies may not be enough to address these barriers. Other supports to expand telemedicine where it is needed includes providing more incentives to providers, waivers from insurance companies for patients to purchase equipment, and more education to patients about when, how, and where to receive telemedicine. More supports need to be provided to those underserved by telemedicine, especially for clients who are on Medicaid, living in low-income areas, and/or living in rural locations.
由于新冠疫情实施的居家令增加了患者对通过远程医疗进行虚拟医生问诊的依赖。远程医疗在疫情期间有其益处，在疫情之外也有好处。在美国，它在某些类型的医疗机构、医疗服务提供者以及特定人群中未得到充分利用。了解在其未得到充分利用的领域（尤其是农村地区）有效纳入远程医疗的障碍很重要。研究人员讨论了阿拉斯加费尔班克斯市两名家庭医生的远程医疗扩展情况。这两名家庭医生遇到的障碍部分印证了研究中所述内容。研究表明，医疗保险和医疗补助远程医疗政策的变化可能不足以解决这些障碍。在需要的地方扩大远程医疗的其他支持措施包括向医疗服务提供者提供更多激励措施、保险公司免除患者购买设备的费用，以及对患者进行更多关于何时、如何以及在何处接受远程医疗的教育。需要为那些未得到远程医疗充分服务的人群提供更多支持，特别是对于那些参加医疗补助、生活在低收入地区和/或农村地区的患者。
