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. 2004 Nov-Dec;11(6):448-57.
doi: 10.1197/jamia.M1535. Epub 2004 Aug 6.

Bridging the digital divide: reaching vulnerable populations

Betty L Chang  1 , Suzanne Bakken, S Scott Brown, Thomas K Houston, Gary L Kreps, Rita Kukafka, Charles Safran, P Zoe Stavri
Affiliations

Bridging the digital divide: reaching vulnerable populations

Betty L Chang et al. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2004 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

The AMIA 2003 Spring Congress entitled "Bridging the Digital Divide: Informatics and Vulnerable Populations" convened 178 experts including medical informaticians, health care professionals, government leaders, policy makers, researchers, health care industry leaders, consumer advocates, and others specializing in health care provision to underserved populations. The primary objective of this working congress was to develop a framework for a national agenda in information and communication technology to enhance the health and health care of underserved populations. Discussions during four tracks addressed issues and trends in information and communication technologies for underserved populations, strategies learned from successful programs, evaluation methodologies for measuring the impact of informatics, and dissemination of information for replication of successful programs. Each track addressed current status, ideal state, barriers, strategies, and recommendations. Recommendations of the breakout sessions were summarized under the overarching themes of Policy, Funding, Research, and Education and Training. The general recommendations emphasized four key themes: revision in payment and reimbursement policies, integration of health care standards, partnerships as the key to success, and broad dissemination of findings including specific feedback to target populations and other key stakeholders.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Framework for examining informatics in vulnerable, underserved populations. This framework served as an organizing structure for the processes of the Spring Congress: (1) identification of barriers to achievement of the ideal vision; (2) generation of strategies for decreasing barriers and achieving the vision; (3) comparison of evaluation approaches that ensure that strategies and tools are congruent with community needs and incorporate rigorous and relevant methods; (4) discussion of dissemination strategies; (5) creation of recommendations for decreasing knowledge gaps and achieving the ideal vision.
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