Age and Social Disparities in the Use of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan: Cross-sectional Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The use of telemedicine outpatient visits has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries. Although disparities in access to telemedicine by age and socioeconomic status (SES) have been well-documented, evidence is limited as to how these disparities changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the equity of patient access to telemedicine has been scarcely reported in Japan, despite the huge potential for telemedicine expansion.

Objective

We aimed to investigate changes due to age and SES disparities in telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Methods

Using data from a large internet survey conducted between August 25 and September 30, 2020, in Japan, we examined the associations of participant age and SES (educat

SUBMITTER: Miyawaki A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8315162 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature