Shift Happens: Leveraging Telehealth to Achieve Health Equity

Telehealth is the delivery of health care services by healthcare professionals through using information and communication technologies (ICT) for the exchange of valid and correct information. Telehealth became a basic need for the general population, health care providers, and patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when people are in quarantine, enabling patients in real-time through contact with a health care provider for advice on their health problems.
There are various benefits to using the technology of telehealth, especially in non-emergency / routine care and in cases where services do not require direct patient-provider interaction. However, there are barriers to implementing these programs. In this discussion, we will talk about: what is the role of telehealth services in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and controlling diseases? How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the adoption of telehealth? What are the barriers to accessing telehealth? What are the ways to bridge these gaps?
Moderated by: Jonathan Mtaula, 2012-2013 fellow, Manager; ICT & eHealth, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Malawi
Featuring:
-Aaron Shapiro, 2011-2012 fellow, Primary Care Doctor, Unity Health Care, U.S.
-Brian Ssennoga, 2013-2014 fellow, Partnership Specialist, African Region, Medic, Uganda
-Jenna Zitaner, 2017-2018 fellow, MBA/MPH Candidate, Dartmouth College, U.S.

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