Policy and Long-Term Practicality: Perspectives on Telehealth from Family Medicine and Mental Health Providers in Rural Pennsylvania

While telehealth improves access to care, does it improve quality of care? How can telehealth be made more effective, efficient, and equitable? This research will analyze the fundamental policies that are designed to increase telehealth access during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research will gather perspectives from family medicine and mental health care providers in rural Pennsylvania through interview-based research to learn more about the outcomes associated with the rise in telemedicine to explore the appropriateness for its long-term integration in the medical field. Stakeholders include clinical practitioners, patients, healthcare organizations, health insurers, and members of federal, state, and local legislators that shape policy regarding telehealth expansion. As this study focuses on rural Pennsylvania, hopefully it can be applicable to other rural/medically underserved areas of the country and inform future telehealth policy.