TELEHEALTH AND HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF ACCESS, QUALITY, AND EQUITY BETWEEN PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS

Abstract

This study assesses telehealth's influence on healthcare disparities critically and shows how it can both close and expand gaps in healthcare equality, quality, and access. It explores the consequences of the rapidly growing telehealth services for different patient populations, with an emphasis on the elderly, people of color, and those with restricted access to digital resources. Notwithstanding the potential of telehealth to surmount geographical and logistical obstacles, the results underscore noteworthy hurdles in guaranteeing universal access equity. The digital gap and the need for vulnerable communities to have greater access to technology and digital literacy are major problems. The report recommends a comprehensive approach to ensure the fair benefits of telehealth, including targeted education initiatives, technology advancements, and regulatory reform. The ultimate goal is to turn telehealth into a comprehensive healthcare delivery system that guarantees everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or location, access to high-quality care. Encouraging underprivileged populations to adopt telehealth is crucial to using telehealth as a tool for healthcare fairness.