While remote visits with physicians may be more convenient, access issues may stand in the way of the new technology. This is according to healthcare workers and advocates who testified recently about the benefits and drawbacks of the visits to Vermont lawmakers, according to a local news report.
Several speakers said that despite telehealth visits being more convenient than traveling to the doctor’s office, the state’s spotty cell phone service and limited broadband access make it difficult for many to rely on remote appointments. Other concerns expressed by Michael Fisher, chief healthcare advocate for Vermont Legal Aid, include transparency and training. He said many patients were surprised by the cost of telehealth appointments and said that they were uninformed about costs.
He also noted that there needs to be a greater emphasis on training of healthcare providers. “I’ve heard it mentioned that there are good provider trainings going on,” he said. “I want you to know that I’ve also heard many of those trainings have been focused on the billing aspects, not the quality aspects.”
Last year, the Vermont Statewide Telehealth Workgroup was created to develop long-term recommendations. Chief among the recommendations was the need to address the digital health divide. The workgroup also wants to ensure access to telehealth tools that are secure and accessible for people with disabilities.
