Broadband Internet Expansion Key to Telehealth in Rural Areas

By Fred Donovan

September 20, 2019 - Expanding access to broadband internet is necessary for rural areas to benefit from telehealth services, argued Karen Rheuban, MD, professor of pediatrics and director of the University of Virginia Center for Telehealth.

In a Virginia Mercury opinion piece, Rheuban called on federal and state leaders to increase public investment in broadband and telehealth services.

Rheuban estimated that 660,000 Virginia residents are unable to use telehealth services due to a lack of broadband infrastructure. Unconnected communities in the state have some of the worst outcomes in the state, she added.

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The University of Virginia Center for Telehealth has supported more than 100,000 patient encounters and connects its doctors and nurses with patients at more than 150 facilities across Virginia. The center offers telehealth services in more than 60 different clinical specialties, including prenatal care, emergency and acute care, remote patient monitoring (RPM), and follow-up visits.

Rheuban described two RPM programs that her center has launched.

One of the center’s RPM programs, Imprint, is a partnership in which stable premature infants can go home from the hospital with video and vital sign monitoring. The infants are connected virtually to the center’s neonatal intensive care specialist and team.

Another program focuses on RPM of diabetes patients in partnership with community health center Tri Area Health. Rheuban said that health outcomes for diabetes patients has improved as a result of the program. In addition, costs have been reduced and patient engagement is strong.

“These are just two of a multitude of clinical opportunities available to patients facilitated by remote monitoring. However, access to these services is very much dependent on access to broadband, or high-speed internet,” she wrote.

Rheuban noted that Virginia General Assembly has passed legislation that promotes the acceptance of telehealth by commercial health plans. In addition, Medicare this year announced coverage if RPM programs, and the Department of Veterans Affairs has adopted telehealth and RPM programs.

In addition, the Federal Communications Commission plans to set up a $100 million connected care pilot program to expand access to telehealth for low-income rural patients and veterans.

“The Commonwealth of Virginia and her citizens have a duty to bridge the digital divide and provide equal opportunity to all patients in all communities, regardless of zip-code, Rheuban concluded.

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Broadband Internet Expansion Key to Telehealth in Rural Areas

Expanding access to broadband internet is essential for rural areas to benefit from telehealth services, argued Karen Rheuban, MD, director of the University of Virginia Center for Telehealth.

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