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. 2022 Apr 20;8:17. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-21-38

Table 2. Key challenges to adoption of telehealth in rural areas.

Challenge Brief description
Complexity Potential users believe that telemedicine is too complex for them to handle
Anxiety Individuals who do not have enough experience dealing with technology may get anxious
Specialty A few specialties such as geriatrics may be difficult to implement using telehealth due to older adults not being accustomed to newly available technology
Availability of infrastructure Lack of availability of a reliable broadband network and other infrastructure could be a challenge
Digital divide A large part of the rural population may not have access to digital technology
Reimbursement of services There is a possibility that healthcare providers may not get re-imbursed for some types of services provided through telehealth
Constant improvement Constant improvement of telehealth services needs service hours, dedication, and motivation
Legal and ethical challenges Implementation of privacy, and integrity of health records can be a critical challenge