Upcoming Event
This session explores how telehealth access points can bridge critical healthcare gaps in rural communities. Drawing from experiences with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and Oklahoma Broadband Office, as well as work with Oklahoma Complete Health, the presentation outlines the key access barriers—limited providers, poor connectivity, and transportation challenges—and demonstrates how strategically deployed telehealth sites can address them. Attendees will learn about the partnerships, funding considerations, and site‑selection criteria that shaped Oklahoma’s Telehealth Access Point implementation, along with practical design elements such as privacy, ADA compliance, equipment choices, and low‑touch sanitization. Real‑world examples from municipal libraries and regional library systems highlight diverse models and community impacts. The session also covers emerging applications, including school‑based telehealth and hybrid clinic models, and concludes with the legislative and operational challenges that influence sustainability, from shifting reimbursement rules to staffing limitations in rural schools and libraries.