Digital Healthcare Equity: A call to action

In today’s digital age, more and more healthcare organizations are relying on technology to deliver exceptional care. While the increase in healthcare technology has many benefits, not everyone will have equal access to these platforms, and your organization must consider the patient population that this hinders.  

Pre-existing healthcare disparities based on location, race, and socioeconomic factors are heightened by disparities in the access to and use of technology. To ensure all your patients are able to receive the same access to quality healthcare service, your organization must prioritize digital training and adoption.  

The Importance of Digital Healthcare

Digital tools and technology offer healthcare providers and patients numerous benefits, including:  

• Enhanced access: Online platforms offer patients additional, simplified access to care, especially patient populations living in rural or underserved areas.
• Increased efficiency: Digital tools can help to streamline administrative tasks and reduce paperwork, freeing up healthcare professionals’ time so they can focus more on providing quality care for their patients.
• Improved patient outcomes: Online access to care offers patients the ability to have more agency over their care, by providing the opportunity to access medical records and results, chat with providers, and attend virtual appointments from the comfort of their own home, rather than in a provider’s office.

While digital healthcare has many significant benefits, ensuring everyone has equal access to these services is paramount.  

The Digital Divide

The digital divide refers to the gap that exists between those with access to the internet, technology, and digital literacy training, and those without it. This complex issue reaches across all industry sectors but is especially important for healthcare providers.  

While your organization may not be able to address some of the factors contributing to the digital divide, such as lack of internet access, there are factors, such as accessibility and digital literacy training, that can and should be addressed.  

There are many contributing factors to the digital divide and low digital literacy, including, but not limited to: 

• Demographic factors, such as age, gender, and socio-economic status
• Lack of access to digital materials and equipment
• Comfortability with using and navigating digital technology

Patients that lack the digital literacy to utilize technology efficiently are hindered when it comes to the following: 

• Scheduling online appointments
• Accessing patient portals to review and download medical records and results
• Participating in telehealth visits

The Role of Digital Training and Adoption in Health Equity

Digital training and adoption play an important role in bridging the digital divide and improving healthcare equity. By providing targeted training and support, healthcare organizations can help patients from all backgrounds by:  

• Understanding the benefits of digital platforms: Discussing the benefits and recommending the use of digital platforms by administrators and providers can help reluctant patients feel more inclined to try an online healthcare platform.
• Becoming comfortable with digital tools: Providing training content helps patients develop skills and get comfortable with your digital platform.
• Navigating complex systems: Healthcare systems can be confusing and overwhelming, especially for those who are less familiar with technology. Training can help patients understand your various systems and processes.
• Accessing essential information: Providing quality training and support content empowers your patients to take control of their healthcare decisions, by having on-demand access to their health records and visibility into their care options.
• Minimizing language barriers: You can create digital training materials including multiple language translations, depending on your specific patient population’s needs, ensuring accessibility to all patients, regardless of their native language.

Best Practices for Providing Healthcare Training

To ensure the success of your digital training and adoption programs, your healthcare organization should: 

• Conduct needs assessments: Identify the specific digital skills and resources needed by different patient populations.
• Develop tailored training programs: Create training materials that are relevant, engaging, and accessible to all participants.
• Provide ongoing support: Offer ongoing technical assistance and support to help individuals use digital healthcare tools effectively.
• Measure outcomes: Track the impact of digital training and adoption programs on patient outcomes, access to care, and equity.

As we strive to foster a more equitable healthcare system, digital training and adoption are essential tools to provide not only to your staff, but to your patients as well.  By investing in proven digital training and adoption, your healthcare organization can do their part to ensure that everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or location, has access to the care they need. 

Empower Your Patients Today. Learn how Maverick’s digital training and adoption solutions can bridge the digital divide and improve patient outcomes. Click below to schedule a demo with our team.