The Association of Broadband Internet Access and Telemedicine Utilization in rural Western Tennessee: an observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Broadband access has been highlighted as a national policy priority to improve access to care in rural communities.

Objective

To determine whether broadband internet availability was associated with telemedicine adoption among a rural patient population in western Tennessee.

Methods

Observational study using electronic medical record data from March 13th, 2019 to March 13th, 2021. Multivariable logistic regression incorporating individual-level characteristics with broadband availability, income, educational attainment, and primary care physician supply at the zip code level, and rural status as determined at the county level.

Setting

Single health system in western Tennessee.

Participants

Adult patients with one or more in-person or remote en

SUBMITTER: Quinton JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8329625 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature