By David Berger, MD

The COVID-19 pandemic initiated a digital health revolution in the healthcare space, providing a convenient and safe way for patients to receive care outside of the four walls of the hospital or clinic. In droves, nonprofit and for-profit health systems invested in digital health strategies to help increase hospital capacity, divert from the crowded emergency department, ease staff burden, and enable providers to care for their patients from afar. Beyond COVID-19 response, these strategies have helped healthcare entities deliver comprehensive care, increase access, reduce costs, and improve patient convenience.  

Digital health strategies are here to stay, and while they have shown to improve patient care and outcomes, many patients and organizations face barriers to adoption. While "wealthy" systems have been able to invest, others, like safety net hospitals, have largely been left behind. Read Full Article.