Telehealth Barriers

I agree there is a great need to provide healthcare services in rural areas, and telehealth is a logical solution. As you mention, there are many barriers to implementing a successful telehealth program. Lack of connection to the internet, lack of cellular phone service, and lack of equipment, may be the biggest barriers. Foster and Sethares (2014), found in their integrative review of literature regarding telehealth acceptance and barriers in older adults that once a stable connection is established there are additional difficulties the elderly has with equipment. Older adult with chronic illness, have vision problems and dexterity issues that prevent use of computer technology.

Another opportunity to provide healthcare in rural areas is

to use advance practice nurses (APRN). The Institute of Medicine (IOM), in conjunction with the Robert Wood Johnsons Foundation, published a report in 2010 suggesting that APRNs can fill the gap to provide primary care for patients who live in rural areas in our country (IOM, 2010). The rational was a nurse’s education was relatively shorter than physician, care by an APRN is just as safe, less costly, and patients were actually happier with the care an APRN provides. Currently, there are currently 22 states that allow NP to have their own practice without the supervision of a physician (Future of Nursing Campaign for Action, 2015). The use of APRNs in conjunction with telehealth is a good strategy to improve access to healthcare in rural areas.