Libraries as Telehealth Hubs: Bridging the Digital Divide and Expanding Health care Access

Telemed Rep. 2025 Jan 8;6(1):1-5. doi: 10.1089/tmr.2024.0075. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Libraries can play a valuable role in the delivery and support of telehealth services. This article is based on a panel of experts convened for the Virtual Care Symposium 2024, "From Novelty to Sustainability: How to Embed Virtual Care Into the Post-Pandemic Healthcare Delivery Template," to discuss ways to leverage community spaces to expand telehealth access. Strategies for successful implementation and operation are provided along with insights into possible challenges based on real-world examples. Libraries can play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide by providing internet access and digital devices to the public, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

PMID:39991645 | PMC:PMC11839511 | DOI:10.1089/tmr.2024.0075