CURRENT DISPARITIES IN TELEHEALTH: ARE WE WIDENING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE?

Society: AGA

The use of technology has expanded rapidly in clinical care and research in gastroenterology. Telehealth has improved access to care and transformed the ability to monitor patients from the safety of their own homes. Artificial intelligence has improved our predictive models and diagnostic capabilities. Social media is emerging as a tool to reach populations previously unengaged by health care. Despite these promising advances, disparities are increasingly being recognized in the creation, implementation, and use of these technologies. In this session, we will highlight disparities within telehealth and artificial intelligence/machine learning, but also outline evidence-based methods to promote equity within these disciplines. We will also discuss the role of social media in creating diverse communities for practitioners, advocates, and patients, and review how social media has facilitated outreach to vulnerable communities.