Telemedicine Utilization and Preventive Services Among a Rural Population
Telemedicine utilization among rural residents was associated with greater use of preventive care and services. The results showed a slightly larger association between telemedicine use in 2020 and preventive care in 2021, though the association persisted in 2021-2023 following a surge in telemedicine use in 2020.
Individuals residing in rural areas are less likely to utilize primary and specialty care and to receive preventive health services, and they often have less access to health care services compared with urban residents. Telemedicine can facilitate access to care by removing barriers associated with transportation logistics, travel time, and cost.
This study, published in the American Journal of Managed Care, found that telemedicine use among rural residents was associated with a higher likelihood of subsequent preventive care, with the strength of this association differing by underlying health status, sex, and geographic region. This heterogeneity may be useful for understanding the differences in healthcare needs of individuals with chronic conditions living in rural areas across the U.S.
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