Digital inclusion
A key concern about a rapid shift to telehealth is that it may exacerbate inequities in the health system. A report from the Telehealth Resource Centre says up to 20 per cent of the population will not have access or skills to embrace telehealth and this may be higher for high-needs populations. A Waitematā DHB survey released last year found the most common reasons for declining a video appointment were; no access to a device; preference for a personal visit; and do not like/feel comfortable using video calls. The Northern DHB telehealth brief notes that, “introducing telehealth to patients in the home/community has the risk of increasing equity gaps for those lacking technological confidence or with limited access to the technology that is needed. “Careful consideration of this is required and a solution that is more than simply web pages and brochures requires a pro-active patient centred approach,” it says. Large says that digital inclusion is not just ensuring people have the devices and data to use technology, but also providing opportunities and education for potential patients. Waikato DHB is working on a ‘tech checklist’ to go through with patients to see if they can participate in a telehealth consultation and if they can’t, what can be done to help them? Some DHBs, such as Waitematā, are looking at setting up telehealth pods
or hubs in the community as a way of removing technology as a barrier. Southern DHB is also looking into using marae as telehealth hubs and funding data for telehealth interactions for patients. “We have to be careful that we don’t increase inequity of care as we don’t want telehealth to be just available to those people with the necessary computer equipment or phone data,” says acting general manager medicine and women’s and children’s health Simon Donlevy. On a national level, the Ministry of Health has introduced a new sponsored data partnership with telecommunications companies to help reduce the digital divide by ensuring people without data on their smartphones can still access health information and services online. Under the deal, the Ministry of Health pays for all mobile data charges for 11 key health websites and two GP patient portals until June 2021. The Ministry says it is also providing funding to the sector to enable health providers to increase digital inclusion. This could include the use of technology prescriptions, where a device and/ or internet
“Digital inclusion is not just ensuring people have the devices and data to use technology, but also providing opportunities and education.”
connectivity is provided to a patient so they access digital services. However, a Ministry
spokesperson says, “providers will determine what type of technology prescription they may offer and to whom based on need”.
hinz .org.nz
TELEHEALTH OCTOBER 2020 : : 11
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