Amy Sheon, executive director of the Urban Health Initiative, wrote an article for the American Medical Association Physician Innovation Network blog on the importance of telehealth distribution in health care settings during the global fight against COVID-19. Telehealth, or technology-based health care services such as virtual doctor appointments, have become essential in both preventing the spread of COVID-19 and allowing health care professionals to communicate with patients.
In her article “Digital Divide- Teleheath’s Achilles Heel,” Sheon identified the inaccessibility of internet subscriptions and devices with video capability as a barrier to adequate health care for patients. Sheon suggested that health care systems partner with local and national organizations to provide devices and internet plans to patients that need assistance.