The University of Maine Graduate & Professional Center on Tuesday announced a $2 million boost in the form of a $1 million gift to the center, and a $1 million federal grant to the University of Maine System to support distance learning and telemedicine in rural areas.
The rapid switch to telehealth did not come without issues. According to a CDC report, the use of telehealth early in the COVID-19 pandemic was largely unregulated and varied dramatically in effectiveness.
"Telehealth" has taken off during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it hasn't looked the same for everyone. Not everyone has ready access to broadband and internet devices, including smartphones.
The coronavirus pandemic has changed many aspects of the American health care system, but nothing changed quite as drastically as the rise of telemedicine. While virtual care existed before COVID-19, the practice boomed after state-mandated, stay-at-home orders and have since remained strong.