Improving access to healthcare through telehealth: A vision for the future

Telehealth has seen a dramatic rise in recent years, revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered across the US. In 2022, telehealth usage surged by more than 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of modern healthcare..

By reducing barriers to care, especially in underserved communities, virtual care is democratizing access and improving patient outcomes across the country. This growth isn’t just a pandemic-era trend; it’s a movement toward a more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system.

As telehealth expands, there are critical challenges we must address to ensure equitable access, maintain quality, and build a sustainable future.

I am proud to walk amongst many leading this movement, advocating for innovations that bring high-quality care to those who need it most.

🚧 Barriers to access reliable ADHD care

Rural areas face severe provider shortages, leaving millions without care. Beyond geographical limitations, there are also disparities in digital access, long wait times, stigma, and a general lack of awareness about available services.

These issues are especially pronounced in behavioral health, particularly ADHD care, where specialized resources and expertise are often out of reach for large segments of the population. Despite growing demand for mental health services, these barriers continue to prevent underserved communities from accessing critical care. Something we are hoping to solve with QbAccess.

🔗 The role of telehealth in expanding access

Recent regulatory changes have expanded the role of telehealth in the healthcare system, allowing it to bridge the gaps caused by physical distance, provider shortages, and long wait times. By allowing clinicians to reach patients across greater distances, telehealth increases convenience, reduces stigma, and promotes continuous care.

For ADHD, this means that diagnostic assessments, which previously required long in-person visits, can now be done remotely. Telehealth models that combine virtual and in-person visits have made care more efficient, timely, and accessible.

🎯 Spotlight on ADHD and Qbtech’s innovations

ADHD care is a complex and nuanced process that requires specialized tools and expertise. However, these resources are not always readily available, particularly for patients in underserved areas.

Qbtech’s QbCheck is one such solution. It offers a telehealth-compatible, objective ADHD assessment that is both scalable and data-driven. By utilizing evidence-based methods, QbCheck provides patients with convenient access to ADHD assessments while empowering clinicians with data to make more informed care decisions.

Our real-world outcomes demonstrate how flexible objective testing not only improves diagnostic wait times without sacrificing accuracy, but also allows treatment monitoring, thereby accelerating care pathways and enhancing patient experience. This approach helps bridge the gap for patients who might otherwise struggle to access timely and effective ADHD care.

The future of telehealth access in the US – hybrid care and patient native solutions

Looking toward the future, the key to improving healthcare access lies in hybrid models that combine telehealth with in-person visits.

This model creates a comprehensive approach that leverages the strengths of both formats—offering accessibility and convenience alongside the human connection of in-person care. Technological innovations such as remote monitoring and advanced diagnostic tools are already making this vision a reality.

I believe the future of ADHD care is one where every patient, regardless of location, care preference, and background has access to high-quality and effective care. But to achieve this vision, we need to focus on two critical areas:

1️. Ensuring that underserved communities have access to services that are designed with their preferences and needs in mind. Prioritizing accessibility, including costs for patients and coverage for healthcare providers. Accessibility beyond financial considers patients with different needs, including those with disabilities, lower digital literacy, or limited access to advanced technology.

2️. Supportive telehealth policies: As telehealth continues to evolve, it's crucial to advocate for policies that strike a balance between accessibility and patient safety. Regulations must safeguard care quality while enabling innovative solutions that increase access. We must advocate for reducing the stigma around treatment and highlight the ability to monitor treatment in conditions like ADHD.

🤝 A call to action

As telehealth continues to be integrated into the fabric of US healthcare, there is a tremendous opportunity for providers, innovators, and policymakers to collaborate in creating a more accessible, equitable, and effective healthcare system. This is a collective effort, and it requires input and action from all sectors.

I had the privilege of presenting these ideas during the recent DEA listening sessions, and following meeting with OMB / HHA, where I highlighted the critical role of telehealth in expanding access to care, reducing stigma, and leaving care delivery decisions to that of licensed healthcare professionals and their patients. This is an ongoing conversation and I encourage healthcare providers, advocates, and policymakers to join me in advancing this mission.

I have been committed to advancing the field of ADHD care and improving healthcare access for all. My work is part of a broader vision that is inclusive, innovative, and impactful, most important, is that I am not alone.

There is a multidisciplinary group of medical, clinical and patient experts who help inform the work I do. They have helped to determine 5 key calls to action, that we use to gain eyes and ears of policy makers.

🙋🏽‍♀️Please consider showing your support; by signing the ADHD Expert Consortium’s call to action to advocate for equitable care and improved patient outcomes for those living with ADHD.

Let’s keep the conversation going

Telehealth is here to stay, but its full potential will only be realized if we work together.

What innovations in telehealth are having the most significant impact in your field?

What safeguards and policies are essential to ensure that telehealth remains a viable solution for all patients?

Do the calls to action identified resonate with you? Why/Why not?

Let’s continue this conversation and build a healthcare system that is accessible, effective, and equitable for all. Together, let’s shape the future of healthcare.

Call For The Following Key Actions:

1. Leverage, expand and update existing ADHD screening in children to be more universal, across disciplines and improve awareness.

2. Develop Adult ADHD Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines in the U.S.

3. Make evidence-based, objective testing the standard of care for ADHD in children and adults.

4. Better education, rooted in equity, of medical residents and practitioners in pediatrics, neurology, psychiatry, and primary care for the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.

5. Improve insurance coverage for evidence-based ADHD evaluation and treatment

Show your support here and add your thoughts to this discussion in the comments.