Telehealth has rapidly emerged as a transformative tool in healthcare, offering the promise of expanding access to services for patients in underserved areas. The convenience and flexibility it provides—especially for those with mobility challenges, geographical isolation, or those who struggle with the logistics of in-person visits—has been hailed as an essential development in healthcare delivery.
Recent research published in PNAS Nexus suggests that the benefits of telehealth for mental health may not be as widespread or universally advantageous as anticipated. While telehealth for mental health care has been successful in connecting patients with providers in urban and affluent areas, the technology does not necessarily address the barriers that many vulnerable populations face.
Catherine Ettman, PhD, one of the lead authors and an assistant professor in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Health Policy and Management, the findings highlighted a critical issue: “Telehealth for mental health may reduce barriers to accessing care for some, but our findings suggest that telehealth may not be improving access to care for all patients, especially those living in low-wealth/high-deprivation areas.”
Low-wealth, high-deprivation areas are often marked by limited access to reliable internet, lack of technological literacy, and fewer resources for accessing and managing telehealth platforms. For individuals in these communities, the promise of telehealth can be elusive. A patient may have access to a smartphone, but poor connectivity or lack of the necessary technical skills may prevent them from engaging in meaningful therapeutic sessions. In fact, it’s not just the technology that stands as a barrier; it’s also the mental health infrastructure, or lack thereof, that often keeps marginalized communities from receiving adequate care.
Moreover, telehealth platforms typically require a certain level of digital literacy, which might be lacking in lower-income and older populations. Many individuals who would benefit from mental health services may also have difficulty navigating the online systems used for appointments, or they may not be comfortable engaging in virtual sessions. In-person visits, on the other hand, provide a familiar, structured environment for these individuals. For them, telehealth may inadvertently complicate access, not facilitate it.
While telehealth has the potential to democratize access to care, its effectiveness hinges on ensuring that every population can equally benefit from the system. More robust strategies are needed to overcome the barriers faced by low-wealth communities in accessing mental health services. This might include investing in digital literacy programs, improving broadband access in underserved areas, and ensuring that telehealth platforms are designed with diverse populations in mind.
Sources: PNAS Nexus, EurekAlert
