Advancing equity in challenging times: A qualitative study of telehealth expansion and changing patient-provider relationships in primary care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The patient-provider relationship is critical for achieving high-quality care and better health outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care practices rapidly transitioned to telehealth. While telehealth provided critical access to services for many, not all patients could optimally utilize it, raising concerns about its potential to exacerbate inequities in patient-provider relationships. We investigated technical and workforce-related barriers to accessing telehealth and the impacts on patient-provider relationships for vulnerable populations.

Methods

Qualitative, semi-structured interviews from May 2021 to August 2021 with 31 individuals (medical directors, physicians, and medical assistants) working at 20 primary care practices in Massachusetts, North C

SUBMITTER: Aijaz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10906055 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature