Medical Xpress September 9, 2025
Despite the promise of telehealth to bridge rural health care gaps, a new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research reveals that many rural-dwelling patients in the United States—especially those who are older, speak Spanish, or rely on public insurance—are still struggling to access virtual care.
The study, “Video and Telephone Telehealth Use and Web-Based Patient Portal Activation Among Rural-Dwelling Patients: Retrospective Medical Record Review and Policy Implications,” examined the telehealth usage patterns of over 9300 adults in rural California. Conducted by Meghan Rowe Ferrara and Susan Chapman, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, the findings point to continued disparities in access and use of digital health tools, particularly among communities already facing health care challenges.
...Today's Sponsors
Today's Sponsor