NCTRC Annual Report 2023

As the country transitioned out of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), telehealth remained an essential tool to deliver healthcare across the country. The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC), consisting of the 14 Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs), worked diligently to provide up-to-date information and resource guides on PHE telehealth flexibility planning, including the creation of a central webpage dedicated to end of PHE resources for providers and patients alike with up-to-date information on the latest telehealth policy changes.

This year was also marked by a period of collaboration for the NCTRC as we partnered with several key players in the telehealth space. The NCTRC was a proud partner of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) Annual Conference & Expo, the International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth Global Connections for Sustainable Telehealth Conference, and the Society for Education and the Advancement of Research in Connected Health. These conferences provided a platform for the NCTRC to grow its national identity and inform stakeholders across the healthcare industry of the various TRC resources available to the public. Recognizing the benefit and capabilities of telehealth to provide key services to all groups, the NCTRC also collaborated with the National Network of the National Library of Medicine and the Pacific ADA Center to co-host webinars to educate the public on the important work the TRCs have accomplished within the field of telehealth and accessibility. The NCTRC continues to be a valuable community partner at both the regional and national levels.

Additionally, the TRCs’ commitment to health equity and digital inclusion was especially evident within
this past year. The NCTRC developed a digital navigation toolkit, providing helpful resource links relating to digital health navigators for both newcomers and veterans in the digital navigation field. Also, in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, we helped create over 25 factsheets focusing on telehealth for patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind. These factsheets provide helpful information for communication accommodations needed for a successful and equitable telehealth appointment.

This work would not be possible without the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT), which provides funding for this program. Through significant expertise and partnerships with stakeholders, the NCTRC rose to the challenge of helping the nation advance telehealth in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. As there continues to be increased interest in the field of telehealth, the TRCs remain committed to providing vital technical assistance, training and resources to the nation’s healthcare system and citizens. On behalf of the staff across all 14 TRCs, we are pleased to provide this annual report on our activities for 2023.

– Aria Javidan, MPH – Project Manager, NCTRC