By Ryan Bullock

The U.S. has historically been plagued by healthcare inequity and since the start of the pandemic, gaps in care amongst people from disadvantaged or historically oppressed groups have become front and center. Racial minorities continue to be disproportionately affected by certain diseases and their access to quality healthcare remains limited. And while a recent study found that 70% of health plans integrated a new health equity plan this past year to address disproportionate access to care, certain barriers are still prominent when it comes to communication between providers and patients, and understanding new health technological advancements.

In 2021, the healthcare industry saw major innovations in technology to keep up with changing demands due to a newfound remote environment, and while these technological advancements have been instrumental in moving the industry forward during this COVID-era, many patients lacked the capacity and knowledge to navigate these changing workflows to access their care. From those in rural populations who lacked access to the latest communications channels to work with their doctors, to those in low-income communities who could not afford the tools needed for remote care, technology gaps in healthcare have caused many Americans to struggle these past few years.

As digital health continues to take the forefront amongst health plans in 2022 and beyond, healthcare companies have a responsibility to ensure underserved populations have access to comprehensive care that includes the knowledge and tools needed. To help understand how healthcare professionals can close tech gaps and inequities amongst their patients, below are a few steps they can take to succeed.

Work with a trusted technology partner
Since gaps in care have widened due to the pandemic and new regulations are spurring advances in interoperability, healthcare companies will benefit by working with a trusted technology partner to integrate best practices in their health plans. This will ensure both patients and their doctors have access to data and resources necessary to close gaps in care and demonstrate the high value of their offerings in a highly competitive market.

On top of working with a partner, it is also important that healthcare professionals focus on understanding and educating patients on the technical knowledge and skills needed for access to care. Companies should not expect customers to understand how to use new apps or other digital platforms and will need to provide adequate tools for them to comprehend these new practices. In order to have a successful experience with new technology, companies must work to provide digital capabilities that are user-friendly, manageable and of course, easy to navigate. Providers must keep in mind that an appointment itself could be a stressor for the patient, which is why it’s crucial to ensure a seamless digital experience.


Take an integrated approach to care
Providers should also leverage technology to provide a personalized and integrated approach to healthcare through communication and collaboration with other health professionals treating a patient. By sharing a patient's health history via electronic health record with other members of their care team, providers can work together to establish a comprehensive and customized treatment plan, help patients navigate the complex healthcare landscape and direct them towards high quality providers, which is an area of significant disparity. The role of personalized and preventative care in creating equitable healthcare and improved health outcomes is critical, and healthcare professionals have both the responsibility and opportunity to close these gaps in care and help their customers live long, healthy lives.

Be prepared for an aging population
Currently, almost 10,000 citizens are turning 65 every day, with the number of individuals who will need assistance with care reaching 80 million by 2040. As our population continues to grow and age dramatically in the next decade, the demand for care and the need for increased access to care will also rise.

Rather than waiting for this population to grow, health teams need to work with their current customers (and all future) to grow their online health accounts. Studies show more than 45% of people over the age of 65 lack online medical accounts – restricting their access to important resources and information needed for them to stay healthy. To help keep this percentage low and close gaps in digital health for the elderly, providers can take a preparatory approach to their online care to ensure all digital capabilities, such as telehealth services, online scheduling, electronic health records, etc. are available and user-friendly.

As adoption of technology in healthcare settings continues to accelerate, we can expect disparities to continue in healthcare if barriers to access are left unaddressed. In addition to ensuring all customers have the technology needed to receive care regardless of location or socioeconomic status, doctors, healthcare systems, providers, public health experts and community leaders will need to come together to re-imagine a new model of equitable healthcare for all. While there is still much work to be done, advancements in healthcare technology can help medical professionals incorporate the solutions necessary to close glaring gaps in care.

About the author: Ryan Bullock is the COO of Aeroflow Healthcare.