Insights into Rural Connectivity and Telehealth
Explore the key findings on telehealth usage, rural broadband perceptions, and the challenges faced in achieving reliable, affordable internet.
A Look Into the Rural Communities
An analysis by the Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center (RTEC) highlights telehealth adoption, community sentiment, and the barriers rural communities face in achieving reliable and affordable internet. These findings offer a closer look at the challenges and progress in improving healthcare access through broadband.
Telehealth Usage
Telehealth is more widely adopted in areas with robust broadband.
Community Opinions
Varied satisfaction levels with broadband; some accept limitations, while others seek better options but can't find them.
Urban vs. Rural
Rural clinics are less likely to provide telehealth, limiting rural residents' healthcare options.
Barriers
Digital literacy, infrastructure reliability, and support shortages made rural telehealth less accessible.
Affordability
Cost barriers limit broadband access for many rural, low-income households, restricting reliable internet options.
Exploring Regional Challenges
Findings from RTEC and Community Lead Partners highlight unique regional challenges and common themes in broadband access across Texas, Alaska, Michigan, and West Virginia, offering guidance for improving rural telehealth connectivity
Findings in Alaska
Limited infrastructure and geographic challenges reduced broadband speeds and reliability in rural areas, impacting telehealth services and highlighting the need for tailored connectivity solutions.
Findings in Michigan
Uneven broadband access across Michigan’s rural counties affects healthcare, telehealth, and community resources. Learn how targeted investments and stronger partnerships can address these challenges and improve connectivity for underserved regions.
Findings in West Virginia
Limited infrastructure and geographic challenges reduced broadband speeds and reliability in rural areas, impacting telehealth services and highlighting the need for tailored connectivity solutions.
Findings in Texas
Limited infrastructure and geographic challenges reduced broadband speeds and reliability in rural areas, impacting telehealth services and highlighting the need for tailored connectivity solutions.
Lessons for Future Success
Strategies and lessons learned from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and the Community Lead Partners (CLPs) reveal what worked and where future projects can improve, offering a roadmap for successful broadband data collection and engagement in rural communities. These ideas are meant to help future projects find better ways to work with communities and set up programs successfully.
Effective Engagement Strategies
Local partnerships and in-person outreach boosted community involvement.
Innovative Deployment Methods
Automatically deployed tools and mobile apps extended reach to challenging locations.
Motivating Participation
Incentives helped sustain engagement and increase willingness to host pods.
Promising Future Tactics
Mass media outreach and flexible partnerships showed potential for greater impact.