Telehealth in rural areas: Bridging the gaps through policy drivers

The integration of technology into healthcare services has transformed the health sector by considerably improving the competencies of healthcare experts, solving patient health problems and enhancing the management system. The healthcare system in rural communities has been neglected over the years. Before and during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, the incorporation of technology and innovation into the rural healthcare system was minimal. In the post-COVID-19 era, the telehealth care system among rural dwellers has not been embraced due to wrong belief systems, language barriers, infrastructural deficits, technological incompetence, and financial hiccups. The awareness and utilisation of telehealth is concentrated in the cities rather than the rural areas, probably due to enlightenment and exposure to technology by dwellers. This study identified a lack of infrastructure, inexperience of rural dwellers in the handling of telehealth facilities, and illiteracy as hindrances to the acceptance and utilisation of telehealth in rural areas. In order to bridge the gap in the effective utilisation of telehealth, the study proposes the involvement of new technology like computational tools and artificial intelligence, collaboration with other health experts, improved socio-demographic factors and the use of appropriate data management system. The study proposed integrating telehealth care with locally based medication to boost the interests of participants, enhance the training of health experts and patients on the use of telehealth technology and subsidise telehealth through effective policy. Telehealth has the potential to reposition the health system globally and provide accessible, affordable, and quality health care to rural dwellers if necessary policies and standards are applied.