Dr. Cindy Firkins Smith doesn’t mince words: “Rural health care is on the precipice of a crisis,” she said. …
State data show doctors in rural areas are older than those in urban ones, and one in three rural physicians plan to leave the workforce within the next five years, which could have “potentially devastating effects,” Smith told WCCO.
But one solution that can help bridge some of the gap: telehealth. The problem? Not everyone has access to high-speed internet.
They point out…
“Telehealth can’t replace people when it comes to delivering health care; we need people on the ground,” Smith said. “But it is absolutely one of those arrows in our quiver, one of the pieces of the puzzle that we need to deliver that care.”
Telehealth has made a significant impact when it comes to mental and behavioral health providers, Minnesota Department of Health officials said. In the first half of 2021, telehealth accounted for 60% of all mental and behavioral health services.
State health leaders also say audio-only telehealth addresses some access issues, especially in rural areas lacking the bandwidth to support video-based appointments.
The 21st century patient-to-provider contact has shown “strong potential” for improving health care access, said Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Minnesota’s health commissioner, in a statement.
But she cautioned that it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” solution and that increased broadband investment is necessary.