Falling down the digital divide: A cautionary tale. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mantri, Sneha; Mitchell, Kyle T.
• Is Part Of: Parkinsonism & related disorders. Volume 93(2021)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 34
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Parkinson disease -- Telehealth -- Health disparities -- Access to care -- Interdisciplinary care; Parkinson's disease -- Periodicals; Movement disorders -- Periodicals; Movement Disorders -- Periodicals; Nerve Degeneration -- Periodicals; Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Parkinson Disease -- Periodicals; Tremor -- Periodicals; Parkinson, Maladie de -- Périodiques; Parkinson's disease; 616.833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.10.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8020

Abstract

Abstract: The disruptions of the coronavirus pandemic have enabled new opportunities for telehealth expansion within movement disorders. However, inadequate internet infrastructure has, unfortunately, led to fragmented implementation and may worsen disparities in some areas. In this Correspondence, we report on geographic and racial/ethnic disparities in access to our center's comprehensive care clinic for people with Parkinson's disease. While both in-person and virtual versions of the clinic enjoyed high patient satisfaction, we discovered that participation by Black/African-American individuals was cut in half when we shifted to a virtual delivery format in April 2020. We outline potential barriers in access using a socio-ecological model.