The Use of Telehealth in Addressing the Needs of Underserved Populations*

*This special issue is supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF)

Among the many immediate health care considerations that COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has presented across the globe, addressing the essential needs of using telemedicine and telehealth to treat underserved populations has been recognized as a global health priority. 

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the urgent need for telehealth as a vital and holistic way to expand and enhance health care delivery more efficiently and cost-effectively and to achieve optimal patient outcomes and satisfaction – while concurrently maximizing the workforce capacity and safety of frontline and community-based providers.

Disseminating critical and timely research about the use of telehealth in meeting the health care needs of underserved communities is essential. These populations, while disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, also face pervasive disparities and barriers to accessible, available, affordable, quality care.

Telemedicine and e-Health, with support from the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), is prioritizing the need for impactful research in the field to support underserved populations during times of crisis. We welcome manuscripts from scholars across the field in the format of original research papers, reviews, commentaries, perspectives, best practices, public policy, and program evaluation. 

Submissions should be focused on, but are not limited to, experiences with telehealth of the following populations:

• Low-income communities
• Persons of color
• Patients requiring language translation services 
• Rural communities 
• Persons with disabilities
• Persons requiring mental health or substance use disorder services 
• Safety net providers

Submissions should be focused on, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Research to improve and expand telehealth and telemedicine programs, including video, phone, e-consultation, and remote patient monitoring
• Reimbursement, licensure, and provider practice standards 
• Timely access to care
• Quality of care
• Patient experience and satisfaction
• Population health management
• Management of chronic health conditions
• Workforce
• Workflow and business processes
• Integration of data
• Informed consent and scope of practice
• Patient-provider relationships

Please direct special issue inquiries to Editor-in-Chief, Charles R. Doarn.

Telemedicine and e-Health is under the editorial leadership of Editor-in-Chief Charles R. Doarn, MBA, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati and Executive Editor Karen Rheuban, MD, FATA, University of Virginia, and other leading investigators. View the entire editorial board.

Advantages of publishing in Telemedicine and e-Health include:

• Fast and user-friendly electronic submission
• Rapid, high-quality peer review
• Maximum exposure: accessible in 170 countries worldwide
• Open Access options available