Patient Perception of University Hospitals' PCs for People Initiative

TL;DR

This study evaluates how providing low-income Medicaid patients with computers and internet access improved their well-being and connectivity during the pandemic.

Contribution

The novel contribution is assessing the impact of a digital inclusion initiative on mental, emotional, and physical well-being through longitudinal surveys.

Findings

Participants reported improved mental and emotional well-being after receiving computers and internet access.

Recipients felt more connected to their community and experienced reduced health risks by accessing services remotely.

New work opportunities emerged for participants who were previously unable to leave their homes.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic world have highlighted the integral part that social connections play in one's mental and emotional well-being. The modern world had to suddenly adapt and accommodate an abundantly virtual one. Those who were unable to make these technological adaptations, many being low socioeconomic households, were facing many new obstacles, such as losing in-person jobs and being disconnected from their community and services by not having the technology to stay in contact, all while living through a global pandemic. University Hospitals understands and recognizes the value of connectivity for lower-income households, and through their Rainbow Connect program, they have partnered with a non-profit technology distribution service to provide a laptop computer and six-month prepaid access to a broadband internet receiver to Medicaid patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of this initiative on the lives of its recipients. Through an attitudinal survey administered on the day they received their computer and internet hotspot and again after six months, researchers investigated the change in perspective the 100 participants had about owning a PC and what it could do for their lives. This study found significant improvement in participants' perceived mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Participants reported feeling a greater sense of connection to friends, family, and their community. They felt their health was at less risk by being able to stay home for health appointments and by ordering goods and services to their home. They also revealed new avenues for work, as those who have difficulty leaving the house now have the ability to work remotely and attain an income. These results are important in highlighting the changes in recipient perception and encouraging the expansion of similar programs that aim to bridge the digital access gap.

Figures