Telehealth is often lauded as a solution for inequities in health care. But many of the same disparities persist from in-person to virtual care: Lack of insurance, language differences, literacy challenges, broadband access issues, and more.
VTN’s Equity & Telehealth initiative provides content and resources that aim to equip providers across the Commonwealth with tools, education, and best practices for meeting all needs of patients via telehealth.
Topics
Older Adults | Racial Disparities | Patients with Limited English Proficiency | Mental and Behavioral Health | Enhancing Telehealth Accessibility For Those With Disabilities | Underserved and Underconnected Localities | Social Drivers of Health
School-Based Telehealth Clinics Launch in Hampton and Harrisonburg
For many families, accessing timely health care isn’t as simple as making an appointment. Working parents may struggle to take time off, transportation challenges can make doctor visits difficult and long wait times for appointments can mean kids may go without the care they need. These barriers are especially tough …Read More »
2025 Virginia General Assembly: Telehealth-Related Bills and Budget Amendments
Updated – February 18, 2025 In the 2025 Virginia General Assembly, State Senate and House members introduced numerous telehealth-related bills and budget items, many driven by the work of the Joint Commission of Health Care, the House Select Committee on Rural Health, and other legislative committees and commissions throughout 2024. …Read More »
Benchmarking EMS Engagement in Telehealth
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are critical in providing timely and life-saving care to patients in emergency situations. As the health care landscape evolves, telehealth can play a vital role in expediting patient care during emergency situations. For instance, UVA Health utilizes a telestroke program that allows for real-time stroke evaluation, …Read More »
Take Action:
Tips and Resources for Enhancing Equity in Your Practice
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- Telehealth.HHS.Gov: Preparing Patients for Telehealth
- West Health: Equity in Telehealth – Toolkit for Telehealth Providers
- Health Center Resource ClearingHouse: Telehealth Resources – Access and Equity
- Telehealth Equity Coalition: Solutions
- Telehealth.HHS.gov: Ensuring Equal Access to Telehealth
- Better Care Playbook: Telehealth’s Impact on Health Equity: Evidence Roundup
- Telehealth.HHS.gov: Improving Access to Telehealth
- Temple University Center for Population Health: Telemedicine Tip Sheets for Providers and Patients
- NRC Health: Guide to Delivering Empathic Telehealth Visits
- Planning Your Telehealth Workflow
- Providing Health Literate Virtual Health Services
- American Medical Association: Telehealth Implementation Book
- Upper MidWest Telehealth Resource Center: Telehealth and Health Literacy – Promoting Patient Understanding
Keep the Conversation Going
Each month we will feature Virginia-grown telehealth successes that meet the needs of our community in novel and inclusive ways. Submit an abstract or story ideas here.
