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Maita KC, Maniaci MJ, Haider CR, Avila FR, Torres-Guzman RA, Borna S, Lunde JJ, Coffey JD, Demaerschalk BM, Forte AJ. The Impact of Digital Health Solutions on Bridging the Health Care Gap in Rural Areas: A Scoping Review. Perm J 2024; 28:130-143. [PMID: 39135461 PMCID: PMC11404635 DOI: 10.7812/tpp/23.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Digital health tools can improve health care access and outcomes for individuals with limited access to health care, particularly those residing in rural areas. This scoping review examines the existing literature on using digital tools in patients with limited access to health care in rural areas. It assesses their effectiveness in improving health outcomes. The review adopts a comprehensive search strategy to identify relevant studies from electronic databases, and the selected studies are analyzed descriptively. The findings highlight the advantages and barriers of digital health interventions in rural populations. The advantages include increased access to health care practitioners through teleconsultations, improved health care outcomes through remote monitoring, better disease management through mobile health applications and wearable devices, and enhanced access to specialized care and preventive programs. However, limited internet connectivity and a lack of familiarity with digital tools are barriers that must be addressed to ensure equitable access to digital health interventions in rural areas. Overall, digital tools improve health outcomes for individuals with limited health care access in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla C Maita
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Michael J Maniaci
- Division of Hospital Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Clifton R Haider
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Sahar Borna
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Bart M Demaerschalk
- Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Antonio Jorge Forte
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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