Original Publication Date: September 12, 2023

Citation: Langley, R. and Roelofse, E. (2023). “Transforming Community and Rural Healthcare with Health 4.0.” Mayo Clinic Health System’s Digital Health and Workforce Innovation Conference (Poster), Rochester, MN.

License: Open access under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0

Abstract: This study focuses on how changes in telehealth regulations, restrictions, and normative behavior due to COVID-19 escalated the adoption of Health 4.0 principles in mental health care. The study zooms in on a rural state, Iowa, and deconstructs the reality as the pandemic restrictions are lifted and providers, as well as patients have more freedom to choose their preferred mode for receiving care. Results include: 1) increase in popularity for telehealth, especially among rural residents, 2) a significant drop in no-shows when making use of telehealth, and 3) patients are primarily underwriting the expenses associated with access to telecommunications with some employer/industry investment. Public sector solution use is still small at this time, and 4) no notable drop in satisfaction. Methodology for this study focused primarily on behavioral pattern observation, and findings suggest that further investment in telehealth to support patients in rural communities would be advised.

Work presented at the Mayo Clinic Health System’s Transforming Community and Rural Healthcare: Digital Health and Workforce Innovation, 2023.