Open AccessFactors Associated with First-Time Telehealth Utilization for Marshallese Living in the United States
Author(s) -
Jennifer A. Andersen,
Holly C. Felix,
Hari Eswaran,
Nalin Payakachat,
Don Willis,
Cari A. Bogulski,
Pearl A. McElfish
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
telemedicine reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2692-4366
DOI - 10.1089/tmr.2021.0023
Subject(s) - telehealth , pandemic , covid-19 , ethnic group , medicine , health equity , health care , telemedicine , family medicine , gerontology , demography , environmental health , nursing , public health , political science , sociology , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
Background: Mitigation efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 included the robust utilization of telehealth. However, racial/ethnic minority populations have demonstrated low telehealth utilization in the past. The aim of this study was to examine the first-time use of telehealth by Marshallese adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, using online survey data collected from 109 Marshallese respondents between July and November of 2020. Methods: To evaluate the relationships between sociodemographic characteristics, health care access, physical/mental health, and COVID-19-specific measures and the decision to use telehealth, we use bivariate analyses, including t -tests and chi-square analysis. Results: Eighteen respondents (16.5%) indicated they utilized telehealth for the first time during the pandemic. The number of chronic conditions reported was positively associated with the first-time use of telehealth ( p = 0.013). Although not statistically significant, a higher proportion of Marshallese first-time telehealth users reported limited English proficiency, changes in health status, and changes in health insurance. Discussion: Although telehealth has been shown to reduce the absolute gaps in health disparities for minority populations, there is limited utilization by Marshallese communities. Conclusions: Significant research remains on the utilization of telehealth by Marshallese during the COVID-19 pandemic and to increase utilization in the future.