Volume 15, Number 2, Summer 2020

COVID-19, Telehealth, and the Digital Divide: In the Rush to Provide Telepractice, Who Gets Left Behind?

AUTHOR:

  • Reva M. Zimmerman, PhC, CCC-SLP, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

ABSTRACT

In an effort to mitigate community transmission of COVID-19, many speech-language pathologists (SLPs), audiologists, and communication sciences and disorders scientists quickly shifted their practice and research online. However, the rise of telepractice creates new barriers to care and research participation in populations that are historically unserved or underserved. This commentary describes the populations most at risk for being left behind due to the “digital divide” and the specific barriers that limit access to telepractice services and research. Implications and cursory suggestions are discussed.

DOI:

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