Equity and Telemedicine

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was a solution for many, and it also became clear that the virtual format was potentially fraught with equity challenges and limitations. Racial and ethnic minorities were already facing disproportionate rates of COVID-19 (Alcendor DJ, J Clin Med 8:2442, 2020). This was compounded by the existing health disparities that have resulted from a longstanding history of structural racism and limited healthcare access. As such, these populations were among the highest need for care in the new virtual landscape. However, these were also the groups least likely to have access to the technology necessary for telemedicine and remained at risk for poorer health outcomes.