Age and Racial Inequities in Telemedicine Internet Support Among Nephrology Outpatients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nwamaka D Eneanya,Taylor L Stallings,Jordan Shaffer,Michael E Konu,Jordana B Cohen,Sarah J Schrauben,Jonathan J Hogan,Deirdre L Sawinski

doi:10.1016/j.xkme.2021.05.001

Abstract

Age and Racial Inequities in Telemedicine Internet Support Among Nephrology Outpatients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Highlights

To the Editor: In response to the need for social distancing and safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, many outpatient clinics across the country shifted from primarily conducting in-person clinic assessments to telemedicine visits
We contacted all patients scheduled for visits at general and transplant nephrology clinics associated with the University of Pennsylvania between May and August 2020
We ascertained internet support needs with the following item: “If you use the internet regularly, do you do it yourself or with help?” We obtained demographics from the electronic medical chart

Summary

Introduction

To the Editor: In response to the need for social distancing and safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, many outpatient clinics across the country shifted from primarily conducting in-person clinic assessments to telemedicine visits. Compared to patients who completed general nephrology visits, transplant patients were younger (mean age, 52 years [SD ± 12] vs 57 years [SD ± 16], P < 0.01, Table S1) and less often spoke English (90 % vs 97 %, P < 0.01, Table S1).

Results

Conclusion