People living in rural areas deserve a better healthcare experience.

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Chris sits down at the ViVe 2023 conference to talk with Michael Hasselberg, Chief Digital Health Officer at the University of Rochester Medical Center, about the impact of the current economic conditions on rural healthcare and how advancing technology, services, and policies can help these communities. Michael shares his journey from finding an interest in geriatric psychology to developing telemedicine infrastructure in the state of New York.

It was during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic that Michael really noticed the health disparities that rural communities face day to day, like transportation barriers, lack of health insurance, and limited availability to healthcare professionals, most of which link to having very low incomes. When everybody was forced to adapt to digital modalities, people in these communities engaged more through audio-only visits than those with video as they couldn’t afford Internet access in their homes, having only cellular data plans available to them. Additionally, healthcare providers, generalists, and specialists are not drawn or motivated to set up shop in these rural communities, which is why Michael is set to develop creative solutions to increase their access. Some ways he achieves this include technology innovations like text-based approaches and mobile app solutions or seeking new care sites like libraries, barber shops, retail stores, and community centers, common places to meet the population where they’re at.

Rural communities also have patients dealing with chronic diseases that require management and care. For them, telehealth, patient monitoring, and virtual care technologies are important, but there are ways to innovate while taking their social conditions into account. In their case, one of the best resources available is their voice, so patient-reported tools are very valuable in their care. Michael believes collecting these PROs can help health systems and plans better understand these patients from their perspective, increasing their engagement.

Listen to learn more about the innovative solutions that close the health gap rural communities face!

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