Investigating the equity of access to telehealth and proposing strategies to reduce digital divide

January 2021December 2024
The University of Queensland

Funding source: The University of Queensland (via Graduate School, Centre for Online Health) and Metro South Health (via Health Equity and Access Unit).

This project explores the equity of access to telehealth services and proposes strategies to reduce the digital divide among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Firstly, we have identified gaps in the current distribution of telehealth delivery across Metro South Health for consumers that speak languages other than English and/or require an interpreter1. The project will also include a review of the literature to identify effective interventions that can overcome telehealth access gaps. In collaboration with consumers, we aim to develop strategies to increase equitable access to telehealth for CALD communities.

Related publication

1Gallegos-Rejas VM, Kelly JT, Lucas K, et al. 2023. A cross-sectional study exploring equity of access to telehealth in culturally and linguistically diverse communities in a major health service. Australian Health Review. https://doi.org/10.1071/AH23125
 

Project members

Outdoor portrait of Dr Emma Thomas

Dr Emma Thomas

Research Fellow
Centre for Health Services Research

Dr Jaimon Kelly

Senior Research Fellow
Centre for Health Services Research

Victor Gallegos-Rejas

PhD Student
Centre for Health Services Research