The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in physicians having to switch from in office visits to telemedicine. Unfortunately, physicians and patients did not have adequate time to anticipate barriers to its implementation. Over the last month, one of the major problems has been patient access to telemedicine. Many patients do not own a smartphone or have broadband access. This “digital divide” is not fair to our patients in need—especially those with a cancer diagnosis. Patients deserve access to care. We need to implore insurance companies to provide tablets with wireless capabilities to patients in need.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interim guidance for healthcare facilities: preparing for community transmission of COVID-19 in the United States. Page last reviewed February29, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-hcf.html
2.
GiviBSchiffBAChinnSB, et al. Safety recommendations for evaluation and surgery of the head and neck during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Published online March31, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2020.0780
AHNS Leadership and Patient Care Division. How COVID-19 is affecting our head and neck community. Accessed April 10, 2020. https://www.ahns.info/covid-19-2020/
MossbergerKTolbertCJStansburyM.Virtual Inequality: Beyond the Digital Divide. Georgetown University Press; 2003.
8.
AbdolahiABullMTDarwinKC, et al. A feasibility study of conducting the Montreal Cognitive Assessment remotely in individuals with movement disorders. Health Informatics J. 2016;22(2):304-311.
9.
EdwardsMAPatelAC.Telemedicine in the state of Maine: a model for growth driven by rural needs. Telemed J E Health. 2003;9(1):25-39.
10.
BentonSAHeesackerMSnowdenSJLeeG.Therapist-assisted, online (TAO) intervention for anxiety in college students: TAO outperformed treatment as usual. Prof Psychol Res Pr. 2016;47(5):363-371.
11.
PrasadABrewsterRNewmanJRajasekaranK.Optimizing your telemedicine visit during the COVID-19 pandemic: Practice guidelines for head and neck cancer patients. Authorea. Published online April10, 2020. doi:10.22541/au.158653329.98961797
