Can Public Libraries Be Leveraged to Expand Access to Telehealth? Exploration of a Strategy to Mitigate Rural Health Disparities

In the U.S., those who lack broadband internet have limited ability to connect to care providers over a telemedicine video visit (VV). During the coronavirus disease pandemic, VVs have become increasingly common, but are not equitably accessible, which may exacerbate existing health disparities. Widening health disparities are of particular concern in the rural U.S. where broadband is lacking. We term this inequity in healthcare access due to limited internet access the "digital health divide." Because public libraries typically offer free use of broadband internet to patrons, they can help bridge the digital health divide and assist patrons with VVs. However, no guidelines currently exist for care providers and libraries to implement this needed, but potentially complex undertaking. Individual programs in which community members have used public libraries as a place from which to connect to a VV may offer insight into guidance needed. Thus, we conducted a scoping review to explore interventions reporting use of public libraries for community members to connect to a healthcare provider via telemedicine. One article was found describing the use of a public library for community members to connect to a telemedicine VV. The use of public libraries as spaces from which patrons can participate in VVs with providers is promising, but research is urgently needed to guide implementation.