A year in review: Connected Nation’s 2024 research highlights – telehealth, telework, digital literacy, and more
The Connected Nation research team is pictured above. From left to right: David Nunnally, Research Analyst; Chris McGovern, Director, Research Development; and Shauna Plath, Research Assistant and author of this piece.
Denver, Colo. (December 19, 2024) - The Connected Nation (CN) research team had another productive year in 2024, advancing the organization’s mission to close the Digital Divide through comprehensive data collection and analysis.
This year, the team conducted several significant studies on telehealth, technology inventory, and digital literacy, alongside personal projects that were presented at professional conferences. Below is a summary of some of our 2024 research highlights.
Telehealth
Telehealth has become a prominent topic in the broadband and internet sphere, widely recognized as a powerful online tool to improve health outcomes in both urban and rural communities. However, accessing telehealth requires patients to have a strong, reliable internet connection and the necessary technology to successfully complete a virtual visit.
To better understand the relationship between telehealth and patients, CN conducted three studies in Colorado and Michigan. The partnerships included the Colorado Office of e-Health and Innovation (OeHI), the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission (CUPPAD). These studies examined the rates of telehealth usage, attitudes regarding telehealth services, awareness of current telehealth offerings, and ways to address the challenges some residents face when seeking out telehealth services.
The results of each telehealth study varied, as each community has different health related needs and perspectives. To learn more about each of these studies, view the reports below.
Remote access, real impacts: Assessing telehealth attitudes and usage in Northwest Colorado
Building telehealth equity: Insights from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Technology inventory at Utah schools
Students and faculty need a variety of digital tools and technology to meet their learning objectives both inside and outside of the classroom. CN partnered with the Utah Education Network to create the fifth consecutive inventory report of the technology within Utah’s K-12 district and charter schools.
The purpose of this study was to assess the current state of technology and technological resources available in schools and compare each with past inventory trends. Study highlights include the total count of computing devices available for students and teachers, the device-per-student ratio, the percentage of schools that deploy laptops and computers to students, and the age of the schools wired and wireless equipment, among other valuable insights.
To see the detailed results of this inventory analysis, read the full report below.
2023 Utah School Technology Inventory Report
Pictured above: digital skills classes were held at the United Way in Denton County, Texas
Digital Literacy
CN offers digital literacy programs aimed at improving the online skills of community members from diverse backgrounds. As of December 2024, CN has reached over 7,000 people through Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T, and Digital Skills Trainings this year alone. These courses equip individuals with an enhanced understanding of the internet, computers and mobile devices, and the ability to use essential tools like email and Zoom.
The objective of the study was to highlight the community impact CN has made in digital education by analyzing participant feedback. This analysis aimed to understand how participants benefited from the course and identify areas for improvement.
The feedback was categorized into five key areas: knowledgeable staff and high-quality presentation tools, enhanced digital skills among participants, an increased sense of cybersecurity awareness, improved workforce readiness, and an increase in the participants’ ability to connect with their community.
The results of this study will be available in early 2025.
Conferences
CN’s Research Analyst, David Nunnally, presented earlier this year at the annual meeting of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters on the push and pull factors that influence patients’ decisions to use telehealth over traditional modes of medical care. This research uncovered that individuals who knew someone who had used telehealth were more likely to utilize telehealth themselves.
How Perceptions of Telehealth Incentives and Barriers Impact Patient Choice
David also presented research at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association this year. This study revealed that individuals with home internet access rate their overall health status higher than individuals without home internet access.
Evaluating Broadband as A Social Determinant of Health
CN’s Director of Research Development, Chris McGovern, participated in the Broadband Communities West Summit and moderated a panel on “America’s Growing Aging Population: Assisted Living & Senior Care Centers.”
Connected Nation Attends Broadband Communities Summit West Conference
He also shared insights from our telehealth research at the Michigan Rural Health Conference and was a member of the inaugural Telehealth for the Coming Decades think tank, hosted by Michigan State University and supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This effort led to McGovern co-authoring “Telehealth Research Strategies in a Post-COVID-19 Era: A Roadmap for the Coming Decade,” a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Telemedicine and eHealth.
Looking ahead: Upcoming research in 2025
2025 will be another busy year for the research department. Anticipated projects include the development of the BEAD program in Guam, an analysis of where America stands with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) laid out 15 years ago in its National Broadband Plan, and gathering data for the sixth UEN School Inventory report. We look forward to advancing CN’s mission to close the Digital Divide through our research.
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About the author: Shauna Plath is a research assistant who is based in Denver, Colorado (most of CN’s staff works remotely). In her role, she is responsible for using qualitative and quantitative techniques to interpret data collected through surveys, focus groups, and other public-facing methodologies. Shauna also works with internal and external stakeholders to help develop research and provide critical information in support of the Connected Nation mission.