The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services : A Novel Health Workforce to Digitally Empower Patient Communities in Safety Net Systems

Overview

Journal J Med Access

Date 2024 Jan 16

PMID 38225933

Authors

Alejandra Casillas

Anshu Abhat

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Significant disparities in the uptake of digital health tools have been previously described. Studies have found that low perceived confidence to engage with digital health resources among medically underserved patients partially account for this. To address barriers to digital health engagement (specifically around patient portal enrollment and use), the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LAC DHS) introduced the Health Technology Navigators program. To our knowledge, this is the first formal digital health workforce implemented in a safety net system. The objectives of the editorial are to describe the evolution and roles of the health technology navigators and their early effects within LAC DHS, the second largest safety net health system in the United States.

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