Implications of Telemedicine on Educational Outcomes and Healthcare Accessibility, Case Study of a Local College in Upstate New York

Importance There is a dearth of empirical research addressing the healthcare component on the academic performance of college students. It is unknown how discrepancies in healthcare access manifest in college students. Objective To improve awareness of the current healthcare issues facing college students and find ways to minimize the healthcare gap. Design, Setting, and Participants Local college students were assessed for health status, usage of the health system, potential factors discouraging the use of health benefits, and the educational outcomes of the students. Main Outcomes and Measures Educational outcomes associated with differing levels of healthcare access, averages, Pearson’s r, odds ratios and 95% CIs. Results Nearly 1 in 4 students (26.1% [SE, 3.7%]) reported having inadequate healthcare access. Healthcare accessibility was strongly correlated with academic performance (r = .336 [95% CI, .179-.476]; P< .001). Low access students were significantly more likely to report barriers to healthcare (OR = 2.91 [95% CI, .557-5.29]; P< .001). Telemedical use corresponded with reduced absences (r = .219 [95% CI, .054-.373]; P= .01) and higher ratings on self-health assessments (OR = 1.74 [95% CI, .809-3.75]; P= .001). Use of telemedicine did not relate to reports of healthcare barriers ( P >.99). Though the adoption of telemedicine among college students is staggeringly low, with fewer than 1 in 12 students (7.9% [SE 2.4%]) reporting at least some telemedical usage. Conclusions and Relevance Over a quarter of college students report inadequate healthcare access despite fewer than 1 in 12 students utilizing telemedicine. Further research is needed to determine the extent to how much the current healthcare norms affect college students, but fostering a pedagogical approach to telemedicine may serve to bridge the healthcare gap. Key Points Question In what way does healthcare accessibility affect college students? Findings Many students report inadequate healthcare access, despite having health insurance. The adoption of telemedicine among college students is currently low. Students utilizing telemedicine display improvements across health and academic categories. Meaning Bolstering the adoption of telemedical health services may help to diminish the healthcare accessibility gap among college students.