To evaluate the applicability of telemedicine for new immigrant families in the US, focusing on acceptance (understanding and willingness to use telemedicine), accessibility (availability and ease of access), feasibility (practical implementation), and applicability (relevance to their needs).
Key Findings:
Telemedicine can help narrow health disparities faced by new immigrant families, such as transportation issues and specialist shortages.
It can connect families with culturally and linguistically similar providers, enhancing trust and cultural sensitivity.
Challenges include the digital divide, poor network coverage, low health literacy, and privacy concerns, which can hinder effective use.
Studies during the COVID-19 pandemic indicated low acceptance and feasibility of telemedicine among new immigrant families, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Interpretation:
While telemedicine has significant potential to improve healthcare access for new immigrant children, various barriers such as digital divide and low health literacy must be addressed to enhance its effectiveness and acceptance.
Limitations:
The review is not systematic and may not encompass all relevant literature, potentially leading to biased conclusions.
Focus is limited to studies conducted in the US and published in English, which may overlook valuable insights from other contexts.
Conclusion:
Telemedicine offers opportunities to better serve immigrant children, but requires specific policy amendments, such as broader Medicaid telemedicine coverage and technological enhancements, to promote equitable access.
