Rural cancer survivors less likely to have telehealth access, especially older, poorer, and/or minority patients

Telehealth has become increasingly popular in rural America during the pandemic, but rural cancer survivors were less likely to have access to telehealth than their urban counterparts last summer, according to a newly published study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. 

Here are some of the study's top findings:

• Telehealth access disparities were found among patients who were Black, Hispanic, older, and/or enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, across rural and urban lines.
• Only 53 percent of rural cancer survivors covered by Medicare reported that their medical provider had telehealth service available, compared to 63% of their urban peers. 
• Those who were enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid were even less likely to be offered telehealth services, the study found. 
• 67% of the rural respondents owned a desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet, compared to 82% of urban respondents. 
• 58% of rural respondents had internet access, compared to 79% of urban respondents. 
• Only 28% of rural respondents were likely to participate in voice calls or conferencing, compared to 46% of urban respondents. 

The researchers suggested that the health-care industry and lawmakers work on increasing broadband access and find ways to help patients increase their telehealth literacy.