Transforming Rural Health Care: Ohio Med Students Harness Cell Phones to Make a Difference

Accessing healthcare in rural Ohio can be challenging. Many residents struggle due to a shortage of healthcare providers and recent hospital closures, requiring them to travel long distances for care. With a mostly older population and limited internet access, telehealth isn’t a perfect solution.

To address these issues, a group of medical students in Ohio formed the Digital Rural Health Corps. This initiative, backed by the American Medical Student Association and the Ohio Rural Health Association, aims to teach residents how to navigate digital health tools. With assistance from the KeyBank Foundation, they’ve trained students from institutions like Wright State University and the University of Cincinnati to promote digital health literacy in underserved areas.

Rico Carter, a medical student and AMSA leader, describes their mission: “We help residents learn to use digital health tools, like accessing patient portals and scheduling telehealth appointments.” Since launching, over 130 student navigators have been trained, reaching communities across five counties.

What Does a Digital Health Navigator Do?
One prominent student in this initiative, Gargi Rajput, wanted to understand the difficulties patients face when accessing healthcare. During her time at a local Kroger pharmacy in Clinton County, she surveyed shoppers about their experiences using online health resources.

“In rural areas, many people lack home internet or have never used a patient portal,” she explained. Rajput offered immediate support, registering people for health apps and showing them how to message doctors or refill prescriptions through their phones. “It’s not just about the technology; it’s about empowering people to use it."

Challenges in Rural Ohio Healthcare
Rural Ohio has fewer primary care physicians, dentists, and mental health providers than urban areas. Nearly one million Ohioans lack broadband access, and in some parts of Appalachian Ohio, a majority of households can’t access high-speed internet.

Rajput highlights that without broadband, accessing telehealth is difficult. However, her goal is to familiarize residents with available tools. “We’re opening doors for people to connect with healthcare professionals and preparing them for the future.”

The Digital Rural Health Corps plans to expand its efforts beyond Ohio and is looking for new partnerships to enhance its outreach and impact. This initiative is not just about technology; it’s about building a bridge to better healthcare access for rural communities.

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