Overcoming Digital Access, Technology Integration Hurdles to Connected Care

At the Connected Health Virtual Summit, healthcare leaders shared the challenges they are facing with implementing and expanding connected care efforts and how they are working to break down barriers. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of connected care technologies, making them a 'must-have' rather than a 'nice-to-have' for most healthcare providers. But the rapid uptake has not been smooth, with providers facing multiple challenges related to adopting technology and ensuring access to connected care. The digital divide refers to "the economic, educational, and social inequalities between those who have computers and online access and those who do not." In the healthcare context, the digital divide manifests as a lack of access to care among those who do not have the necessary devices or internet connectivity. According to Jenny Azzara, senior director of performance improvement and organizational development at Community Care Cooperative (C3), the digital divide in healthcare is also exacerbated by dwindling provider resources.