Evaluating Telehealth Accessibility for Mental Healthcare in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Keywords: Mental health, Telehealth, Accessibility, 2SFCA, 2SVCA
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

The growth of telehealth, significantly accelerated by COVID-19, has opened new opportunities for healthcare access. Recent studies have investigated the spatial distribution of telehealth accessibility to primary care, leaving a gap in understanding for mental healthcare, as individuals with mental health conditions exhibit distinct healthcare utilization patterns compared to those with physical ailments. To address this knowledge gap, this study aims to analyze the spatial accessibility of telehealth services provided by 91 of the 173 mental healthcare facilities in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The study’s objectives include (1) measuring physical and telehealth accessibility to mental health facilities at the census block group level, (2) examining the spatial distribution of these measures, and (3) evaluating the changes in accessibility facilitated by telehealth. We measured physical accessibility using two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA), while evaluating telehealth accessibility using two-step virtual catchment area (2SVCA). The results indicate that county-wide improvements in accessibility were limited, since telehealth accessibility tends to decrease in areas with a lack of internet affordability. However, while areas with high physical accessibility were clustered around downtown, the telehealth service increased accessibility by 8.34% in suburban towns with low physical accessibility. We further evaluated a scenario where all service locations offer telehealth services, and we observed a more pronounced dispersed pattern of telehealth accessibility toward the outskirts of the county, suggesting a potential reduction in the accessibility imbalance between downtown and suburban areas. This study provides insights into possible strategies for enhancing accessibility in mental healthcare services through telehealth.