About The Study: The findings of this study suggest that despite initial telemedicine gains at rural Veterans Affairs (VA) health care sites, the pandemic was associated with an increase in the rural-urban telemedicine divide across the VA health care system. To ensure equitable access to care, the VA health care system's coordinated telemedicine response may benefit from addressing rural disparities in structural capacity (e.g., internet bandwidth) and from tailoring technology to encourage adoption among rural users.
Authors: Lucinda B. Leung, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., of the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System in Los Angeles, is the corresponding author.
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(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.1864)
