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Research Spotlight
Telehealth: Current Definitions and Future Trends
This report defines common telehealth terms across a variety of contexts and explains why it is important to use terminology that is contextually appropriate. Read More 
"I was Unsure at First": A Qualitative Evaluation of Patient Perceptions of VA Clinical Video Telehealth Visits in the V-IMPACT Program
Many veterans have skepticism about telehealth. This study examines how veteran’s opinions of telehealth change once they experience a virtual appointment. Findings show a wide variety of patient responses to telehealth appointments, and these experiences offer an opportunity for future telehealth providers to better understand the needs of their patients to make virtual care as effective and supportive as possible.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Telehealth experienceManaging innovation: a qualitative study on the implementation of telehealth services in rural emergency departments
This study evaluates the gap in telehealth adoption and utilization in rural hospital emergency departments (TeleED) by analyzing factors that influence the implementation and sustainability of this service. Researchers identified eight different key factors that play crucial roles in the success of telehealth implementation in rural TeleED, and they believe using these strategies during the implementation process gives a more favorable outcome.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Health Resources and Services Administration
Emergency health Rural healthUsing Implementation Science to Understand Teledermatology Implementation Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telehealth in dermatology practices (teledermatology) has experienced rapid expansion. Implementation science uses evidence-based practices to improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare services, and this study aims to understand more about how implementation science can be used in dermatologic care, as well as in teledermatology. Results from this study give health care providers insight on how to successfully continue the use teledermatology after the pandemic.
National Institutes of Health
Telehealth experienceParent satisfaction with the parent-provider partnership and therapy service delivery for children with disabilities during COVID-19: Associations with sociodemographic variables
Parents of children with disabilities played a huge role in facilitating the continuity of care for their children throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, especially through managing and delivering therapies remotely. This study aims to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and parent satisfaction with the delivery of therapy services for children with disabilities during the pandemic. Factors impacting parents' satisfaction with therapy services included access to telehealth services, number of household essential workers, number of children, parent education, and more.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health Telehealth experienceStrategies to Ensure Continuity of Care Using Telemedicine with Older Adults during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study of Physicians in Primary Care and Geriatrics
This study examines the utilization of telehealth by patients aged 65 and older during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as explore the experiences of primary care physicians and geriatricians by conducting interviews. Examining various strategies used to maintain the care of patients aged 65 and older throughout the pandemic allows for future improvement of telehealth utilization for geriatricians. Findings indicate the importance of evaluating a patient's technological readiness in advance, making accommodations for disabilities, and involving caregivers throughout the telehealth experience.
National Institutes of Health
Telehealth experienceThe Role of Telehealth and Clinical Informatics in Data Driven Primary Care Redesign
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has experienced many updates in the past 3 years. These innovations have presented a new opportunity in the health care field for utilization of new ways to remotely monitor medically complex patients This study uses clinical informatics linked to inpatient and emergency department use to evaluate telehealth utilization of various population segments. Results show that there is potential to improve patient outcomes using telehealth in the primary care and acute care settings, as well as decrease emergency department and inpatient utilization.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Remote patient monitoring Workforce developmentTelehealth for Women's Preventative Services
This study evaluated the effectiveness, use, and implementation of telehealth for women's preventative services for reproductive healthcare and interpersonal violence (IPV), and to evaluate patient preferences and engagement for telehealth, particularly in the context of COVID-19. Three of the 16 studies indicated that telehealth utilization increased during COVID-19 public health emergency.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Telehealth experiencePublic health implications of adapting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis programs for virtual service delivery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review
Based on a systematic review, the authors suggest a virtual service delivery model for PrEP that can be leveraged for the COVID-19 public health emergency using the internet and social media for demand creation, community-based self-testing, telehealth platforms for risk assessment and follow-up, applications for support groups and adherence/appointment reminders, and applications and internet for monitoring.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV/AIDSClinical Appropriateness of Telehealth: A Qualitative Study of Endocrinologists' Perspectives
Since the use of telehealth in outpatient endocrinology is likely to remain common after the COVID-19 pandemic, this study examines how endocrinologists determine clinical appropriateness for telehealth and identifies their strategies to navigate barriers to safe and effective use. This research is crucial due to the absence of guidelines on telehealth use in this field, and the findings show the need for expert guidance to anchor future evidence-based guidelines for determining clinical appropriateness of telehealth in endocrinology.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Telehealth experiencePredictors of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States-an analysis of a national electronic medical record database
Although telehealth utilization has rapidly increased within the past years, disadvantaged groups still face barriers to access. This is a retrospective study that analyzes outpatient medical encounters for patients using a national electronic medical record database from March 1 to December 31, 2020. Findings show that older and non-Hispanic Black patients had significantly lower levels of telehealth utilization than other patient groups.
National Institutes of Health
Health equity Telehealth experiencePerceptions and Use of Telehealth Among Mental Health, Primary, and Specialty Care Clinicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The purpose of this study was to capture healthcare providers attitudes towards telehealth utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic, since physician’s attitudes may impact utilization rates of telehealth by patients. Findings show differences in video, phone, and in-person care utilization across specialties, as well as clinicians attitudes towards telehealth having an impact on patient utilization.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Behavioral health Telehealth experienceSchedule of Visits and Televisits for Routine Antenatal Care
This is a systematic review that examines the role that telehealth can play in the future of antenatal care. Various factors that could facilitate or create a barrier in the implementation of telehealth for antenatal care were also reviewed. Studies reviewed show that there were no differences in the amount of preterm births or neonatal intensive care unit admissions when comparing telehealth and in-person visits, and that both patients and providers are open to telehealth utilization in this field, but more research is needed.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Maternal healthBehavioral healthcare organizations' experiences related to use of telehealth as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory study
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many behavioral health services having to transition to deliver care virtually via telehealth. This study analyzes the experiences of behavioral health organizations that used telehealth during the pandemic to determine any common themes. Results show that organizations viewed convenience, increased access to disadvantaged populations, and lack of commute as advantages of telehealth; common disadvantages included limited access to technology and possible ineffective treatments.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Behavioral health Telehealth experienceThe Potential of Telecommunication Technology to Address Racial/Ethnic Disparities in HIV PrEP Awareness, Uptake, Adherence, and Persistence in Care: A Review
The purpose of this review was to understand how studies have used electronic telecommunication technology to increase awareness, uptake, adherence, and persistence in PrEP care among Black and Hispanic/Latino persons and how it can reduce social and structural barriers that contribute to disparities in HIV infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV/AIDS
Telehealth: Current Definitions and Future Trends
This report defines common telehealth terms across a variety of contexts (clinicians, academia, federal stakeholders) and explains why it is important to use terminology that is contextually appropriate. Most patients will not distinguish between the terms “telehealth” and “telemedicine” in their use. Academic researchers may need to distinguish the terms to accurately describe and frame their research. Among federal stakeholders, telehealth is currently the most used term and would have the most recognition.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Health equity Telehealth experienceAddressing Hypertension Outcomes Using Telehealth and Population Health Managers: Adaptations and Implementation Considerations
This study examines various population health approaches to help with hypertension management. Telehealth is one approach that this study focuses on, with it being a cost-effective strategy that addresses multiple barriers to hypertension utilization and care delivery. Results show that telehealth is an effective strategy for advancing hypertension care within a population health paradigm by addressing multiple drivers of high blood pressure.
Health Resources and Services Administration; National Institutes of Health; United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Remote patient monitoringPostpartum during a pandemic: Challenges of low-income individuals with healthcare interactions during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many changes in women’s healthcare delivery for childbirth and the postpartum period, but these changes particularly affected low-income patients. This study examines various challenges that low-income patients experienced during the pandemic.
National Institutes of Health
Health equity Maternal healthEvaluation of Mental Health Mobile Applications
This is a technical brief that examines the potential of mobile application (app) utilization for mental health and wellness services. Although there are many mobile apps available for mental health services, there is little guidance that consumers and patients can use when trying to determine what application to use. This brief also provides a framework to assess apps based on different strengths and limitations.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Behavioral healthDirect and indirect effects of a Project ECHO longitudinal clinical tele-mentoring program on viral suppression for persons with HIV: a population-based analysis
Project ECHO tele-mentoring for community providers was associated with improvement in viral suppression for people with HIV whose providers participate or work in the same clinic system as a provider who participates.
Health Resources and Services Administration; National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDSTelemedicine and visit completion among people with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, telemedicine visit completion among people with HIV increased significantly, especially among populations with lower pre-pandemic engagement.
National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDSChild Health, Vulnerability, and Complexity: Use of Telehealth to Enhance Care for Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs
Telehealth has the potential to improve the quality of care, particularly deficiencies related to access and patient experience of care for children and youth with special health care needs and reduce disparities related to accessing in-person care.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Health equity Remote patient monitoringDeploying a telemedicine collaborative care intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: A stepped wedge evaluation of an adaptive implementation strategy
This study uses two strategies, standard implementation and enhanced implementation, to determine the best way to incorporate telehealth utilization in trauma-focused psychotherapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results show that although telehealth is an effective means for engaging veterans in treatment, neither of these strategies were successful at incorporating telehealth into routine care treatment of PTSD.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Behavioral healthTelehealth Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Preliminary Selective Review
During the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person health care visits dramatically decreased, and the utilization of telehealth services increased. The purpose of this study is to examine various patterns in telehealth utilization based off certain factors, including geographical location, type of health care service, and a patient’s age, race, and income.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Telehealth experienceTelehealth Exercise Intervention in Older Adults With HIV: Protocol of a Multisite Randomized Trial
This study aims to successfully develop a synchronous telehealth exercise intervention program for people with HIV to improve cardiorespiratory fitness.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
HIV/AIDSNational Survey Trends in Telehealth Use in 2021: Disparities in Utilization and Audio vs. Video Services
This report analyzes national trends in telehealth utilization and how use of video-enabled vs. audio-only telehealth services differ across patient populations. The study finds notable disparities by race, ethnicity, income, age, and insurance status in access to video-enabled telehealth.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
Health equity Telehealth experienceA Pilot Study Examining Access to and Satisfaction with Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telemedicine
It is common for women to experience mental health problems and substance use disorders (SUDs) while pregnant and during the postpartum year. Unfortunately, many women are not able to receive proper treatment for these problems due to barriers to care, but using telehealth as a tool to increase access is one way to combat this. This study was conducted to evaluate patient satisfaction with their accessibility to proper treatment for these disorders, as well as their experiences with this care being delivered via telehealth. Results show that women receiving mental health and SUD treatment via telemedicine within their obstetrician's office had high levels of satisfaction, and that it significantly increased access to care.
Health Resources and Services Administration; National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health Maternal health Telehealth experienceEvaluation of a telemedicine pilot program for the provision of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in the Southeastern United States
In this telePrEP feasibility study, adherence to PrEP remained high and most participants preferred telemedicine or a combination of telemedicine and in-person office visits to only in-person office visits. Without this program, many participants were unlikely to have received PrEP.
Health Resources and Services Administration
HIV/AIDS Telehealth experienceRapid Implementation of a Telemedicine Program in a Ryan White–Funded HIV Clinic During a Global Pandemic
With the introduction of telemedicine in an HIV clinic, the average monthly number of patient encounters increased, the mean no-show rate decreased, and viral suppression increased. Patient satisfaction also increased during this period.
Health Resources and Services Administration
HIV/AIDSExperiences with Telemedicine for HIV Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study
People with HIV and clinical staff perceive telemedicine visits as useful, with benefits including the ability to engage and re-engage patients in care, perceived patient-centeredness and flexibility, the opportunity to engage family and multidisciplinary care team members, and the opportunity to enhance telemedicine use proficiency through practice and support.
National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDS Telehealth experiencePatient Experience with In-Person and Telehealth Visits Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic at a Large Integrated Health System in the United States
The positive experiences with telehealth reported in this study, especially video based telehealth, may be due to patient appreciation of efforts made to maintain access during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the focused nature of telehealth visits, and help by staff for navigation technical issues.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Telehealth experienceUse of Telehealth Services for Prenatal Care in Mississippi: Comparison of Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic and Pandemic Obstetric Management
There has been little research to examine the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency and its impact on the delivery of care during pregnancy and outcomes associated with pregnancy. This study examines prenatal care practices during the height of the first wave of the COVID-19 public health emergency, compared to the immediate pre-pandemic time period, and explores maternal and birth outcomes during these time periods.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Maternal healthPatient and Provider Perspectives on Pediatric Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid expansion of telemedicine services, and the purpose of this study is to better understand perceptions of telemedicine and compare parent/guardian satisfaction between in-person and telemedicine encounters.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Telehealth experienceTelehealth for HIV Care Services in South Carolina: Utilization, Barriers, and Promotion Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Telehealth was used to provide a wide array of medical and supportive HIV services, including case management, support groups, housing, food, and transportation services. Staff education, cell phone distribution, client empowerment and technology use guidance, bureaucracy and process adjustments, and reimbursement changes are all strategies that could further facilitate telehealth use to deliver care and treatment to people with HIV.
National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDSBrief Report: Supporting Access to HIV Care for Children and Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Telemedicine and Rideshare
Telemedicine has the potential to bridge pediatric health care gaps. Telemedicine combined with rideshare support ensured uninterrupted access to HIV care among pediatric and adolescent patients.
National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDSMedicare Beneficiaries’ Use of Telehealth in 2020: Trends by Beneficiary Characteristics and Location
This research report examines changes in Medicare fee-for-service Part B visits and the use of telehealth in 2020 during the COVID-19 public health emergency by beneficiary characteristics, provider specialty, and location.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
Emergency health Medicare and MedicaidBringing Iowa TelePrEP to Scale: A Qualitative Evaluation
Regional partnerships between public health organizations and telehealth programs have the potential to expand access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in rural and small urban areas, but the best practices on how to successfully conduct these partnerships are unknown. Iowa TelePrEP is a regional public health‒partnered telehealth model created by the Iowa Department of Public Health and the University of Iowa to assess barriers and facilitators to statewide expansion and the lessons learned in the process. The facilitators of expansion included early public health partner engagement, model acceptability and inclusion of a navigator, and adaptability to local public health partner settings.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Health equity HIV/AIDS Rural healthGeorgia Leverages Telehealth to Expand HIV Care Management in Underserved Areas
In Georgia, HIV telehealth has been successful at bridging gaps in patient care and in training local providers to offer comprehensive HIV care. A total of 60 telemedicine solutions were deployed in Georgia to expand HIV care access in 12 Georgia health districts. Among Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clients who had a telehealth visit, 99.4% were prescribed antiretroviral therapy and 91.4% were virally suppressed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Health equity HIV/AIDSEmploying telehealth within HIV care: advantages, challenges, and recommendations
While the COVID-19 pandemic added new challenges within the medical field, it also presented new opportunities, such as catalyzing the implementation of telehealth within spaces that offer care for people living with HIV, substance use disorders, and various behavioral health problems.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health HIV/AIDSTelehealth for HIV Care Services in South Carolina: Utilization, Barriers, and Promotion Strategies During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This study examines telehealth utilization for HIV services in South Carolina, identifies barriers to telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and investigates strategies to facilitate remote HIV care delivery.
National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDSKeeping Pace With 21st Century Healthcare: A Framework for Telehealth Research, Practice, and Program Evaluation in Occupational Therapy
The use of telehealth in occupational therapy is steadily increasing, but there is little framework around the evaluation of these services. This study introduces the PACE Framework, which aims to support researchers and practitioners in systematically evaluating components of telehealth service delivery in occupational therapy through population and health outcomes, access for all clients, costs and cost-effectiveness, and the experiences of clients and occupational therapy practitioners.
National Institutes of Health
Telehealth experienceTelehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
This guide reviews the research on the effectiveness of using telehealth for serious mental illness and substance abuse disorders. It makes recommendations for practice and provides examples of how practitioners use these practices in their programs.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Behavioral healthSeeing the Value of Video: A Qualitative Study on Patient Preference for Using Video in a Veteran Affairs Telemental Health Program Evaluation
A web-based treatment program for veterans utilizes video visits with mental health experts to conduct online cognitive behavioral therapy that targets treating clinically significant symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. This program evaluated whether or not veterans thought that using video during these sessions is important, and why it may or may not be important. Results show that being able to visually see a provider has distinct benefits for care and the patient-provider relationship, which gives important information for future telehealth use when debating whether to use video or phone for remote care.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Behavioral health Telehealth experienceComparative effects of telephone versus in-office behavioral counseling to improve HIV treatment outcomes among people living with HIV in a rural setting
People with HIV at risk for discontinuing HIV care and treatment failure living in rural areas expressed a preference for telephone-delivered behavioral counseling and those who received telephone counseling completed a greater number of sessions.
National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDS Rural healthEvaluation of an Intrahospital Telemedicine Program for Patients Admitted With COVID-19: Mixed Methods Study
In this study, virtual care was associated with reductions in personal protective equipment use, reductions in COVID-19 exposure risk, and patient and provider satisfaction.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; National Institutes of Health
Emergency healthThe Future of Telehealth in School-Based Health Centers: Lessons from COVID-19
A qualitative analysis of nationally-led "Listening and Learning" sessions by the School-Based Health Alliance revealed substantial innovation and expansion of telehealth services due to COVID-10. School-based health programs were shown to reduce barriers to health care access, protect the most vulnerable, and decrease the spread of disease. Telehealth implementations in schools may also help keep youth from emergency departments and provide needed mental health care.
Health Resources and Services Administration
School-based health
HRSA's Evidence-Based Tele-Emergency Network Grant Program: Multi-site Prospective Cohort Analysis Across Six Rural Emergency Department Telemedicine Networks
Six rural hospital systems received grants from HRSA to study how their emergency telehealth departments affect outcomes for patients. Telehealth was often the patient’s first point of contact and usually resulted in a transfer to a distant hospital or local inpatient facility. Findings suggest that emergency telehealth plays an important role in improving access for rural emergency patients.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency health Health equity Rural health
Maternal Telehealth Access Project (MTAP) Report on Community Grant Program
The Maternal Telehealth Access Project (MTAP) was launched to ensure that quality telehealth prenatal and postpartum services are accessible and available in underserved communities during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Increased access to perinatal services and support via telehealth, including clinical care, care coordination, support, and doulas/community health workers leads to improved clinical outcomes for moms and babies
Health Resources and Services Administration
Maternal health
Telehealth Use in a Rural State: A Mixed Methods Study Using Maine's All-Payer Claims Database
The expansion of telehealth in Maine is partly driven by Medicare patients. This research suggests telehealth is improving access to behavioral health and speech-language pathology. Telehealth is limited, however, by access problems including provider shortages, lack of broadband, and other insurance coverage like Medicare and commercial policies.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Behavioral health Health equity Medicare and Medicaid Rural health
Telebehavioral Health Use Among Rural Medicaid Beneficiaries: Relationships with Telehealth Policies
This study examines Medicaid telehealth policies and telebehavioral health use among rural fee-for-service (FFS) patients. It finds that rural Medicaid FFS beneficiaries may have better access to telebehavioral health services when they give informed consent in a provider setting.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Behavioral health Health equity Medicare and Medicaid Rural health Telehealth experienceLeveraging Digital Platforms to Scale Health Care Workforce Development: The Career 911 Massive Open Online Course
A massive open online course (MOOC) called Career 911 was created to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to explore health-related professions.
National Institutes of Health
Workforce developmentTelepsychiatric Consultation as a Training and Workforce Development Strategy for Rural Primary Care
There is a shortage of rural primary care personnel with expertise in team care for patients with common mental disorders. This research investigated the feasibility of regular systematic case reviews through telepsychiatric consultation, within collaborative care for depression, as a continuous training and workforce development strategy in rural clinics.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Rural health Workforce developmentOutcomes of a Rapid Adolescent Telehealth Scale-Up During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, health systems needed to quickly transition from in-person visits to telehealth. This study examines the unique challenges within adolescent medicine during this transition, such as patient confidentiality during digital communication and multidisciplinary care teams learning to use video formats.
Health Resources and Services Administration; National Institutes of Health
Telehealth experience
Averted Transfers in Rural Emergency Departments Using Telemedicine: Rates and Costs Across Six TeleED Networks
Using telemedicine in rural emergency departments saved an average of $2,673 per patient by avoiding transport costs. The majority of the cost savings went to public insurance.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency health Rural healthA telehealth lifestyle intervention to reduce excess gestational weight gain in pregnant women with overweight or obesity (GLOW): a randomised, parallel-group, controlled trial
Significant weight gain in pregnancy among overweight or obese women increases their already elevated risk of having gestational diabetes, a cesarean delivery, and post-partum weight retention. It also increases the chances of a larger infant and the child's risk of obesity. This research investigated whether a telehealth lifestyle intervention reduced excess weight gain in participants.
National Institutes of Health
Maternal health
Process of Identifying Measures and Data Elements for the HRSA School-Based Telehealth Network Grant Program
An analysis of the School-Based Telehealth Network Grant Program’s initiatives to measure the effect that telehealth has on the quality of healthcare services offered in schools. The project also aimed to identify a common set of measures that could assess school-based telehealth services, utilization, processes, and outcomes.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Rural health School-based healthProject Moxie: Results of a Feasibility Study of a Telehealth Intervention to Increase HIV Testing Among Binary and Nonbinary Transgender Youth
Because transgender youth have low rates of engagement in HIV prevention, Project Moxie tested the feasibility of an intervention that provides home-based HIV self-testing combined with video-chat counseling.
National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDS Telehealth experienceTelehealth with remote blood pressure monitoring compared with standard care for postpartum hypertension
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) affect 10% of the pregnancies in the United States and are the most common reason for postpartum hospital readmissions. This study considers whether postpartum home telehealth with remote blood pressure monitoring could reduce the readmission rates during the first 6 weeks postpartum in women with HDP.
National Institutes of Health
Maternal health Remote patient monitoring
Emergency Department Telemedicine Consults are Associated with Faster Time-to-ECG and Time-to-Fibrinolysis for Myocardial Infarction Patients
Heart attack is a common and deadly event that requires treatment as soon as possible. Telemedicine can improve how quickly heart attacks are diagnosed and treated in rural hospitals.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency health Health equity Rural healthPrEPTECH: a telehealth-based initiation program for human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis in young men of color who have sex with men. A pilot study of feasibility.
This pilot study uses a telehealth-based approach to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation as a solution to barriers such as stigma, cost, adherence concerns, and medical distrust.
National Institutes of Health
Health equity HIV/AIDS
Provider-to-Provider Telemedicine Improves Adherence to Sepsis Bundle Care in Community Emergency Departments
Sepsis occurs when an infection reaches the bloodstream and getting care quickly improves the chances of survival. In this study, telemedicine in the emergency department improved the rates of adhering to the sepsis treatment protocol. The timely replacement of fluids and the administration of antibiotics greatly improved sepsis care at rural community hospitals.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency health Health equity Rural health
Emergency Department Telemedicine Consults Decrease Time to Interpret Computed Tomography of the Head in a Multi-Network Cohort
A study of emergency telemedicine (tele-ED) for stroke care in four tele-ED networks. Tele-ED was associated with decreased time to diagnostic imaging interpretation and time to thrombolytic medication.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency health
Tele-Emergency Behavioral Health in Rural and Underserved Areas
Severe shortages of behavioral health specialists in rural and underserved areas make placing patients in appropriate facilities difficult. This paper describes two different emergency departments in the Midwest using telemedicine to address behavioral health access and placement for patients in rural and underserved areas. Findings suggest that transfer to in-patient facilities was much higher in both models when using telemedicine.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Behavioral health Emergency health Rural healthA Postpartum Remote Hypertension Monitoring Protocol Implemented at the Hospital Level
This study evaluated using remote blood pressure monitoring on postpartum women with hypertension when they leave the hospital. It found that remote monitoring of this type showed high patient compliance, retention, and satisfaction.
National Institutes of Health
Maternal health Remote patient monitoringThe Use of Telehealth in School-Based Health Centers
School-based telehealth programs can expand health care access to rural and underserved youth by eliminating barriers to access, such as transportation. This article describes characteristics of School-Based Telehealth Centers using technology to add to the access of care beyond onsite providers for underserved communities.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Rural health School-based healthDevelopment of a tailored, telehealth intervention to address chronic pain and heavy drinking among people with HIV infection: integrating perspectives of patients in HIV care
Chronic pain and heavy drinking commonly co-occur and can influence the course of HIV, but there have been no interventions designed to address both conditions among people living with HIV. This study aims to better understand pain symptoms, patterns of alcohol use, treatment experiences, and technology use in order to tailor a telehealth intervention that will address all these conditions.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health HIV/AIDSThe Use of and Experiences With Telelactation Among Rural Breastfeeding Mothers: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Telelactation services connecting breastfeeding mothers to lactation consultants increase access to professional breastfeeding support in rural areas. This research shows both high demand for and positive experiences with these telehealth services in an underserved population.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Health equity Maternal health Rural healthTelehealth and texting intervention to improve HIV care engagement, mental health and substance use outcomes in youth living with HIV: a pilot feasibility and acceptability study protocol
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical outcomes of a 12-session telehealth counseling series provided to young adults living with HIV that will include education, motivational enhancement and problem-solving around HIV care, mental health, substance use, and other challenges.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health HIV/AIDSCell Phone Counseling Improves Retention of Mothers With HIV Infection in Care and Infant HIV Testing in Kisumu, Kenya: A Randomized Controlled Study
This study shows the effectiveness of cell phone counseling to keep pregnant women with HIV in care in Kisumu, Kenya. Phone counseling helps reach and retain pregnant women with HIV infection and postpartum mothers in care. It also improved infant HIV testing and antenatal and postnatal care services.
United States Agency for International Development
Behavioral health HIV/AIDS Maternal healthRandomized Controlled Trial of a Mobile Health Intervention to Promote Retention and Adherence to Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Young People at Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus: The EPIC Study
Young people are the least likely to use protection against sexually transmitting HIV. An interactive text-messaging intervention significantly increased the odds of using protection among young individuals at risk for getting HIV.
National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDSText Messages Can Encourage Patients to Discuss and Receive HIV Testing in Primary Care
Regular HIV testing does not often happen in primary care visits. Providers want patients to ask for the test, as opposed to suggesting it themselves. This study finds that using a patient-centered text message campaign may prompt patients to discuss HIV testing with their physicians, thereby increasing HIV testing.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
HIV/AIDS
Pediatric tele-emergency care: A study of two delivery models
The study evaluates two tele-emergency department programs for pediatric patients with different designs, one general and one specialized. The study shows design choices affect how programs are evaluated and highlights the challenge of creating standard metrics.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency health Rural healthFeasibility and acceptability of an online positive affect intervention for those living with comorbid HIV depression
This article presents pilot data of using an online intervention to improve the outlook of people living with both HIV and depression. The intervention was rated well by patients and was shown to be both acceptable and feasible to use.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health HIV/AIDS
Implementation Strategies for Telestroke: A Qualitative Study of Telestroke Networks in North Carolina
This study examines the adoption decision process and strategies employed during telestroke network development, implementation, and sustainability.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency health Rural health
Telestroke Adoption Among Community Hospitals in North Carolina: A Cross-Sectional Study
Telestroke is the use of telemedicine in stroke care. This study identifies community and hospital characteristics associated with adoption of telestroke among acute care hospitals in North Carolina.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency health Rural healthFeasibility of an image-based mobile health protocol for postoperative wound monitoring
Patients and caregivers were willing and able to use a mobile program to monitor wounds after surgery. Early results showed health providers identified and managed wound complications.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; National Institutes of Health
Remote patient monitoringA Mobile Application for Monitoring and Management of Depressed Mood in a Vulnerable Pregnant Population
This study tested whether a mood tracking and alert mobile application (MTA app) improved mental health care in high-risk pregnant mothers. The MTA app monitored activity, mood, and alerted providers to signs of worsening symptoms. Women who received a telephone call triggered by an MTA app alert were significantly more likely to receive a mental health specialist referral.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Behavioral health Maternal health
Telemedicine Use Decreases Rural Emergency Department Length of Stay for Transferred North Dakota Trauma Patients
Emergency department telemedicine consults for trauma patients were associated with faster hospital transfers and the increased use of radiography.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency health Health equity Rural healthThe Empirical Evidence for Telemedicine Interventions in Mental Disorders
Telemedicine in behavioral health may improve access to services amidst the critical shortage of mental health professionals. This article reviews the research literature to assess how successful, feasible and cost-effective the use of telemedicine may be in the treatment of mental disorders.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral healthImplementation of Telehealth Services in Rural Schools: A Qualitative Assessment
Many rural areas have a shortage of health care professional to meet the needs of the community. Several schools located in rural areas have implemented telehealth solutions to address the unmet health needs of students. This study captures insights from telehealth programs funded through the School-Based Telehealth Network Grant Program to identify facilitators and barriers to inform implementation of telehealth programs in rural schools.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Rural health School-based health Workforce developmentAssociation of Adequacy of Broadband Internet Service with Access to Primary Care in the Veterans Health Administration Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
While the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offered several telehealth services before the pandemic, the use of telehealth by veterans significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. An analysis of data from VHA found that veterans who lived in communities with limited or no access to broadband were less likely to access primary care via telehealth during the pandemic. Reduced access to broadband was associated with neighborhood-level social disadvantage, worsening access disparities.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Health equity Rural healthReceipt of Telehealth Services, Receipt and Retention of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder, and Medically Treated Overdose Among Medicare Beneficiaries Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
To ensure access to substance use disorder services during the pandemic, the government authorized the use of telehealth to prescribe and manage medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). This study looked at over 150,000 Medicare beneficiaries living with OUD during the pandemic and found that MOUD prescribing via telehealth improved retention in an OUD-treatment program using prescribed medication and reduced the likelihood of medically treated overdose.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health Medicare and MedicaidQuality of Telehealth-Delivered Inpatient Palliative Care During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic
This study focused on the use of palliative primary care using telehealth and hybrid models during the pandemic. The research findings suggest that the use of telehealth may expand the availability of palliative care for individuals and their families who are not conveniently located near a health center that offers this important service. The authors note that telehealth may be more appropriate for some palliative care services than for others.
National Institutes of Health; United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Telehealth experience
Trends in Outpatient Telemedicine Utilization Among Rural Medicare Beneficiaries, 2019-2019
In a study of 10.4 million rural Medicare beneficiaries, researchers discovered continuous growth in telemedicine use among Medicare beneficiaries with a disproportionate share of all telemedicine visits for serious mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder) between 2010 and 2019 – especially for care provided by nurse practitioners and other non-physician clinicians.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health Health equity Rural healthTransgender Individuals and Digital Health
The use of digital health technologies including telehealth and mhealth expands access to health care as well as education and the ability to access resources to improve overall health such as housing and employment. This study discusses how digital health technologies can reduce disparities in quality of care for transgender individuals.
National Institutes of Health
Health equity HIV/AIDSCertain Medicare Beneficiaries, Such as Urban and Hispanic Beneficiaries, Were More Likely Than Others to Use Telehealth During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
This data brief examines the characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries who used telehealth during the first year of the pandemic. This report discusses how the temporary expansion of telehealth impacted various beneficiary groups. In addition, the learnings can help to inform future work in increasing beneficiary access to telehealth.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health equity Medicare and MedicaidMindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Delivered Through Telehealth and Text Messaging for Low-Income Smokers: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Telehealth has the potential to widely expand patient access to the intervention and treatment for tobacco usage. Low-income minority groups often struggle with quitting due to a lack of healthcare infrastructure around smoking cessation interventions, and therefore experience tobacco-related health problems at a greater rate. This study uses telehealth sessions and SMS text messaging to deliver mindfulness-based smoking cessation treatment, with the hope of reaching population groups that normally do not have access to in-person treatment centers. Data will continue to be collected until the spring of 2024.
National Institutes of Health
Health equityAdoption of telemedicine in a rural United States cancer center amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Oncology, the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, has been slower than other fields of medicine to utilize telemedicine. This study aims to better understand the different factors that affect provider and patient hesitancy for telemedicine uptake and sustained use in oncology. Overall, providers favored telemedicine utilization for lower-acuity cancer care visits that were less dependent on physical exams, and more focused on patient education. The results give researchers important data that can aid in the improvement of virtual cancer care, giving the opportunity for increased access to rural and underserved communities.
National Institutes of Health
Rural healthImproving heart failure care and guideline-directed medical therapy through proactive remote patient monitoring-home telehealth and pharmacy integration
This study evaluates the use of remote patient monitoring (RPM) home-telehealth and pharmacist consultations on high-risk cardiovascular patients, with the overall goal being a reduction in hospital admissions due to heart failure. A registered nurse, cardiovascular physician, and pharmacist all play a crucial role in care delivery during this study, working together to improve guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) prescription. Results from this study show that the number of patients who maximized GDMT care increased, which may have assisted in the reduction of hospital admissions due to heart failure during the study.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Remote patient monitoringAdapting PCIT-Health for Telehealth Delivery: A Case Study
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy-Health (PCIT-Health) is a form of behavior parent training that focuses on helping parents learn skills for better managing a child’s behavior, including obesity-related behaviors. This study examines the experience of one family using telehealth to receive PCIT. The results show that the family had a positive experience with telehealth-delivered PCIT, and that the parent’s skillset of positive parenting practices increased. This study gave researchers more information on patient experience with telehealth-delivered PCIT so that in the future there can be a wider implementation of this practice for improving child behavioral problems.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health Telehealth experienceCOVID-19 Telemedicine and Vaccination at an Urban Safety Net HIV Medicine Clinic
The Owen Clinic at UC San Diego Health developed a telemedicine clinic in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the continuity of care for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other high-risk populations. This study gives an in-depth review of the Owen Clinic and various virtual-medical services it provided throughout the pandemic that ultimately were effective in treating and monitoring high-risk patients.
National Institutes of Health
HIV/AIDSThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people who inject drugs accessing harm reduction services in an rural American state
Harm reduction services, such as syringe service programs (SSPs), shelters, peer support groups, and low barrier buprenorphine treatment are services for people who inject drugs (PWID) and their recovery process. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, PWID faced many challenges with access to these services, but the pandemic exacerbated these barriers even further. This study examines the impact that COVID-19 had on access to harm-reduction services, specifically for Maine residents.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health Rural healthBroadband access and telemedicine adoption for opioid use disorder treatment in the United States
Buprenorphine is a medication used for patients who struggle with opioid use disorder, but only about 1 in 5 patients receive treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic increased telehealth utilization for addiction treatment with studies supporting telemedicine as an effective way to deliver treatment for opioid use disorder. This study aims to identify the percentage of the US population that experience challenges with treatment accessibility. Barriers to treatment that are examined in this study include limited internet access and the number of buprenorphine-waivered providers near a patient’s residence.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
Behavioral health Rural healthExpanding access to substance use services and mental health care for people with HIV in Alabama, a technology readiness assessment using a mixed methods approach
Due to Alabama's vast amount of rural area, there are many obstacles that patients can face while trying to receive treatment for HIV. Specifically, HIV patients often experience challenges with access to treatment for mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) due to a lack of public health infrastructure and limited amounts of health care providers near their residence. This study examines if adopting telehealth screenings for mental health and SUDs can improve rural patients access to healthcare services.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health HIV/AIDS Rural healthState Medicaid Telehealth Policies Before and During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
The pandemic led to an expansion of telehealth access for individuals receiving Medicaid across the United States. Based on Medicaid claims data, the authors discuss the growth in telehealth use by Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients. The report also analyzes state policies for telehealth reimbursement under Medicaid and discusses how these changes are likely to impact access and health equity.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
Medicare and MedicaidFactors influencing uptake of telemental health via videoconferencing at high and low adoption sites within the Department of Veterans Affairs during COVID-19: a qualitative study
The purpose of this study is to determine factors that influence site-level uptake of telemental health via videoconferencing (TMH-V) by examining both a low adoption site and a high adoption site within the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Findings show that while there are many positive and negative influencers of TMH-V uptake, the biggest influencer was site complexity. User-friendly sites that are accessible to patients with a limited technology skill set positively affect site uptake. Unfortunately, a majority of the sites examined were not user-friendly, so complexity had an overall negative influence. Understanding the various influencers of site-level uptake allows for improvement on future implementation, overall increasing patient access to virtual mental health care.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Behavioral health Telehealth experienceEvaluation of an experiential clinical learning option during pandemic teaching suspensions
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many educational environments had to transition to virtual learning, including teaching hospitals for medical students. This study evaluates one hospital’s transition to using telehealth for a new learning program that allows students to become familiar with clinician and patient perspectives of different care models. The curriculum specifically focuses on using virtual care in the multidisciplinary field of addiction medicine.
National Institutes of Health
Workforce developmentThe Lack of a Physical Exam During New Patient Telehealth Visits Does Not Impact Plans for Office and Operating Room Procedures
This study examines if surgical plans made during a telehealth visit remain unchanged after a pre-operative examination immediately before surgery. Data for this study was gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic on urology patients. Results show that majority of surgical planning made during new patient visits stayed the same after in-person examinations, signaling that telehealth can be a useful tool in the future for virtual surgical planning.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Telehealth experienceLong-term Effects of Remote Patient Monitoring in Patients Living with Diabetes: A Retrospective Look at Participants of the Mississippi Diabetes Telehealth Network Study
This study examines the effectiveness of long-term remote patient monitoring (RPM) for patients with diabetes in the state of Mississippi. While RPM has been proven to be an effective tool for monitoring patient’s hemoglobin A1C levels, the ability of RPM to support patients in maintaining treatment is unclear. Many participants experienced reductions in hemoglobin levels after 12 months of nurse coaching and diabetes self-management education that were provided via telehealth, indicating that RPM could be an important tool in managing chronic diseases, specifically diabetes.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Remote patient monitoring Rural healthAn Economic and Health Outcome Evaluation of Telehealth in Rural Sepsis Care: A Comparative Effectiveness Study
Sepsis is one of the top reasons for hospital mortality and healthcare costs. Telehealth has been shown to improve short-term sepsis care; however, the effect on costs and long-term outcomes is unclear. This study compares costs and outcomes for sepsis treated in rural emergency departments.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Rural healthTelemedicine versus in-Person Primary Care: Impact on Visit Completion Rate in a Rural Appalachian Population
The purpose of this study is to understand the affects that telehealth has on patient access and visit completion rates for primary care in a rural community. While the COVID-19 pandemic increased telehealth utilization and availability, little research has been done to determine if the increased availability of virtual care has actually improved access to healthcare in rural and underserved areas. Findings from this study show that the introduction of telehealth in these rural communities created an increase in appointment completion by 20%, indicating that there was an overall increase in patient access.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Rural healthTele-urgent Care for Low-Acuity Conditions: A Systematic Review
The pandemic increased the use of tele-urgent care to improve timely access to health care while preventing unnecessary, in-person contact. This research study reviewed the literature to determine whether tele-urgent care might be an effective substitute for in-person care for low-acuity conditions in the future. While there was no evidence of costs savings, the research suggests that tele-urgent care may increase access by triaging patients to the right level of care.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Telehealth experienceDefining Telehealth for Research, Implementation, and Equity
In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, states and the federal government quickly implemented policy changes to expand access to health care. As a result, the definition of telehealth and the services included varied across entities. The researchers discuss the implications of this variance which will impact policy and research and hinder efforts to address health disparities. As a result, efforts must be made to establish a single definition for telehealth that is consistently used.
National Institutes of Health
Health equity Medicare and MedicaidTelestroke Infrastructure, Processes and Support Needs: A Survey of Hospitals in Five States
Telehealth and the use of telehealth for stroke treatment and services is considered be cost-effective, specifically for its use and ability to provide timely treatments. This study reviews multiple telestroke programs to identify how other and existing programs can implement and sustain their telestroke services and programs.
Health Resources and Services Administration; Health Resources and Services Administration's Telehealth Research Center
Emergency healthTelehealth Use Among Older Adults During COVID-19: Associations with Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics, Technology Device Ownership, and Technology Learning
While the number of older adults using telehealth increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, adoption and use of this care modality lagged that of younger adults. In this study, the authors investigate the factors that contribute to this discrepancy and discuss the implications.
National Institutes of Health
Health equity Telehealth experienceTelehealth During COVID-19: Suicide Prevention and American Indian Communities in Montana
The risk of suicide among American Indian and Alaskan Native Communities during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly exceeded that of other racial and ethnic groups. Telehealth is an effective way to deliver behavioral health services in these communities. This study assessed Montana-based provider perceptions of the potential for telehealth to reduce suicides and the implications for future research.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Behavioral health Health equity Rural healthTele-Audiology: Current State and Future Directions
Tele-audiology can reduce barriers to hearing care by increasing access to care and reducing barriers such as time and travel. This study reviewed existing literature that found audiology services like hearing screenings, diagnostic tests, and rehabilitation can be safely delivered via telehealth and increase access to individuals who may otherwise have limited access to a hearing specialist.
National Institutes of Health
Telehealth experienceThe Changing Nature of Telehealth Use by Primary Care Physicians in the United States
The use of telehealth by primary care providers has evolved over the past several years. Using survey data, this study examined changes in the use of telehealth by primary care physicians. The study delineated physician characteristics associated with primary care providers that plan to continue using telehealth versus those who indicated that they are likely to discontinue the use of telehealth.
National Institutes of Health
Workforce developmentThe Provision of Counseling to Patients Receiving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder: Telehealth Innovations and Challenges in the Age of COVID-19
Medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD) combined with behavioral health therapy is an effective approach for the treatment of patients with a substance use disorder (SUD). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government enacted waivers that allowed behavioral health care for SUD, including prescribing and refilling MOUD to be delivered virtually. This article reviews how these changes have impacted access and describes the need to identify models for hybrid care of patients with SUD in the future.
National Institutes of Health
Behavioral health