MCD’s Digital Health team recently published a report on improving access to care in Maine through telehealth access points (TAPs) at community organizations.

In rural Maine, residents face many obstacles when accessing health care, such as shortages in health care providers and long wait times to see a provider in person. Leaving one’s local community for care results in higher costs involving transportation and overnight trips as well as lost time from work or school. Along with these challenges, there’s also harsh weather, caring for other family members, and a lack of public transportation.

Telehealth usage dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted how such technology can help overcome access-to-care barriers that many in Maine face. As helpful as telehealth is for increasing access to care, there are many in Maine who still lack access to broadband service, have no internet access at all, or lack up-to-date technology or the knowledge needed for telehealth visits.

To address these barriers, nonmedical, community-based organizations are stepping up to create local access to telehealth by implementing TAPs. With grant funding to expand telehealth initiatives in Maine, MCD has supported the startup of eight new TAPs.

A TAP is a public space with a reliable internet connection and a device, like a laptop, tablet, or telehealth cart, with a camera and microphone that community members can use to connect with health care providers. Some community locations, like libraries, may already be functioning as TAPs, even if they’re not calling themselves by that name. TAPs look different depending on the community’s needs and the hosting organization’s setting and resources.

To learn more about TAPs and how to implement them in your own community-based organization, read the full report:

Read the report (PDF)