Work

Identifying Preferences and Barriers to Psychiatric Video-Telemedicine Use Among Older Latino Adults With Limited English Proficiency During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction This study explored reasons for the nonuse of video-telemedicine among Latino patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) in a geriatric psychiatry clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic (January to December 2021). Methods Forty-two older Latino patients with LEP who exclusively used audio-telemedicine completed a 33-item survey regarding their reasons for not using video-telemedicine and possible explanatory factors. Results The majority of patients had access to technology and technology assistance from friends and family. Thirty-three patients (79%) reported a lack of technical skills as the main reason for not using video-telemedicine; nine patients (21%) cited other main reasons, including privacy or confidentiality concerns. Patients lacking technical skills were 4.6 times more likely to report no comfort using English compared to patients who cited other reasons. Conclusion A lack of digital literacy and no comfort with English were related factors impacting video-telemedicine use among older Latino patients with LEP during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Open Science Education and Practice

DOI: 10.1016/j.osep.2024.08.001