UNC Health Tackles COVID-19, Broadband Concerns With Telehealth Kiosks

A North Carolina health system is placing telehealth kiosks in high-traffic areas around the community to help residents who can’t access telehealth at home.

UNC Health Southeastern is opening the first kiosk on March 1 at its Community Health Education Center in Lumberton’s Biggs Park Mall. Four more kiosks are planned in sites around Robeson County this year.

The booths are designed to help residents who can’t afford telemedicine technology or who don’t have a reliable broadband connection at home, as well as those who are steering clear of the doctor’s office because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Telehealth is an extremely important alternative to face-to-face medical appointments that allows patients to stay connected to primary care providers to maintain their overall good health,” UNC Health Southeastern Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Lori Dove said in a press release. “This is another way we are working to serve our community while encouraging them not to delay important care for their overall wellness even amid concerns about exposure to COVID-19.”

Kiosks had been seen as an up-and-coming connected health trend a few years back, but fell by the wayside due to cost concerns and a lack of provider support. Now they’re back, offering another option for providers and payers looking to reduce walk-in traffic in EDs and doctor’s offices and push access out to locations like malls, pharmacies and retail stores.

The UNC Health Southeastern kiosks are funded by the North Carolina Healthcare Foundation’s “Fill the Gap” and NC COVID-19 Hospital Preparedness grant programs.

They’ll be available during weekday hours, and new and established residents are asked to call to set up an appointment. At the time of the appointment, they’ll be set up through a new or existing MyChart account for a Zoom meeting with a care provider.

Aside from addressing COVID-19 fears, the kiosks also target a significant barrier to telehealth access in both rural and urban areas: Inadequate broadband connectivity and a lack of resources for underserved residents to access care.

Along with kiosks, healthcare providers and community programs across the country are setting up telehealth booths or making computers or laptops available with free Wi-Fi access in libraries, schools, community centers and other sites.