Vending

Studies examine how self-service technology can expand health care access

This edition of our academic research roundup looks at two studies exploring how kiosks and vending machines could remove barriers to care in very different settings.

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July 24, 2026 by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

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Self-service technology continues to expand beyond retail, restaurants and transportation, with researchers increasingly examining its potential role in health care. This edition of our academic research roundup looks at two studies exploring how kiosks and vending machines could remove barriers to care in very different settings.

The first paper evaluates whether telemedicine kiosks could improve access to health care in rural Mississippi and examines the business models needed to support them. The second explores student perceptions of a vending machine that provides free sexual and reproductive health products at a rural college serving a substantial Native American population.

Telemedicine kiosks could help bridge Mississippi's rural health care gap

The first paper, "Telemedicine Kiosks: Can Technology Solve Rural Mississippi's Healthcare Crisis?" by Babu George and Martha Ravola, was published in 2026 in the Journal of Public Health in the Deep South.

The researchers examined whether telemedicine kiosks could improve health care access in rural Mississippi while supporting local entrepreneurship and community development. Rather than testing a kiosk deployment, the researchers conducted a conceptual, policy and market analysis that combined a review of existing research, secondary data, public policy documents and five-year financial modeling.

Mississippi offers a compelling case for telemedicine kiosks. According to the paper, 53.2% of the state's residents live in rural counties, seven of its 82 counties have no hospital and nearly every rural county is designated as a shortage area for primary, dental and mental health care. Transportation difficulties, poverty and limited broadband access further restrict residents' ability to obtain care.

Telemedicine kiosks could address some of those barriers by giving residents access to secure video consultations, internet connectivity and diagnostic equipment without requiring them to own a suitable device or have broadband service at home. Potential locations include libraries, pharmacies, community health centers, municipal buildings, rural hospitals and broadband cooperative facilities.

The researchers found a kiosk's financial viability depends heavily on who pays its continuing subscription and clinical-network expenses. The analysis considered basic kiosks costing between $30,000 and $75,000 and advanced systems costing between $150,000 and $245,400. Annual operating costs were estimated at $8,000 to $12,000, while subscriptions for provider staffing, software and data hosting could cost at least $60,000 annually.

Under an "Operator Model," in which a health system, partner organization or grant program covers the subscription expense, basic kiosks could generally recover their initial cost in less than two years. In one scenario involving a $50,000 kiosk handling 90 visits per month, the projected payback period was 1.1 years. Even at 60 monthly visits, a basic kiosk could recover its cost in about 1.5 years.

Advanced kiosks required a longer horizon. A $195,000 system handling 90 visits per month had a projected payback period of approximately 4.1 years.

The economics changed significantly under the "Network Model," in which the kiosk operator pays the annual subscription costs. At 90 visits per month, none of the configurations examined was financially viable. The researchers estimated that such kiosks would need at least 133 monthly visits to break even, along with higher reimbursement, subsidies or lower subscription fees.

The study concludes that telemedicine kiosks could become valuable rural health infrastructure, but their success would require more than purchasing equipment. Sustainable deployments would depend on careful site selection, community acceptance, digital-literacy support and partnerships among health systems, government agencies and local organizations. Shared-cost arrangements, grants and regional networks could be especially important.

The findings should be viewed as projections rather than measured deployment results. The researchers did not collect primary patient data or test an operating kiosk. Actual performance would depend on utilization, reimbursement policies, equipment reliability, connectivity and local demand.

Student users see benefits in sexual-health vending machine

The second paper, "Students' Perceptions of a Sexual and Reproductive Health Vending Machine Intervention at a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution," led by Olutosin Sanyaolu and published online in 2026 in the Journal of American College Health, examined a donor-funded vending machine at a rural college in the southwestern U.S. Students could use access codes to obtain sexual and reproductive health products at no cost. The machine also carried harm-reduction supplies, including naloxone and fentanyl test strips.

Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 15 student users between December 2024 and April 2025. Seven participants identified as American Indian, one as Alaska Native, three as biracial and four as white.

Most participants viewed the machine positively. Students said its privacy, convenience and free products reduced the embarrassment, stigma and financial barriers that could discourage them from visiting a clinic or buying sexual-health supplies in a store. Participants also believed the machine helped normalize conversations about sexual and reproductive health.

Peer influence emerged as an important factor. Students frequently told friends about the machine, helped others use it and recommended it when someone needed emergency contraception or other supplies. Researchers said the machine functioned as more than a distribution point: It became a catalyst for peer education and more open conversations about preventive health.

Students also said the intervention increased their trust in the institution by demonstrating that the college supported their well-being without judgment. The inclusion of naloxone and fentanyl test strips strengthened the perception that the machine was part of a broader harm-reduction strategy.

Students nevertheless identified several practical problems. Some students did not know the machine existed, while others were confused about using an access code instead of a payment card. Products sometimes became stuck, and high-demand items, particularly emergency contraception, were not always available. Because the machine was inside the student union, it could not be accessed when the building was closed.

Participants recommended adding machines in residence halls, improving restocking and maintenance, simplifying instructions and promoting the service through social media, campus apps, faculty announcements, QR codes and residence-hall activities.

The authors concluded the vending machine was widely accepted and represented a promising way to expand low-barrier access to sexual and reproductive health products, particularly on rural or resource-limited campuses.

However, the study involved only 15 students at one institution and relied on self-reported perceptions. It did not measure changes in condom use, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies or other health outcomes.

Taken together, the papers suggest self-service health technology is only as effective as the system surrounding it.

Kiosks and vending machines can reduce geographic, financial and social barriers, but location, funding, awareness, maintenance and institutional support ultimately determine whether those benefits reach users. For deployers, both studies reinforce the importance of treating the machine as one component of a larger service operation rather than as a stand-alone solution.

About Richard Slawsky

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