Objectives: Developed countries have increasingly witnessed an influx of migrants and refugees, with many settled in remote areas. Most of them have limited knowledge of the English language and decreased digital literacy. With increasing reliance on digital technologies and telehealth, a digital divide is observed among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations, especially females. The CALD females in remote areas have not been adequately addressed in the literature. For the equity of participation, the barriers of digital health in CALD  females in regional Australia were explored. 

Methods: A semi-structured interview study was conducted in 40 CALD females. Participants were randomly selected from the community. All were first generation migrants with English as their second language. Interviews were recorded or transcribed, and later coded into themes with MS Word.  

Results:  There were mixed perceptions regarding telehealth. The main barriers in access were lack of proficiency in the English language, low level of digital literacy, socio-cultural barriers, limited or no familiarity with the digital health system, and lack of interaction with the healthcare providers. When given a choice, most of the participants (more than two thirds) preferred face-to-face interaction. 

Conclusion:  Participants’ perceptions are shaped by their level of digital literacy and English language skills. Digital access can be enhanced by elimination of barriers impeding access and designing digital health interventions according to the level of participants’ digital health literacy. 

Key Words:  culturally and linguistically diverse; digital health, ethnic minorities, immigrants, remote areas, digital health literacy