Telehealth & TelemedicineReview and Resources

Terminology

Telehealth Broad concept of

remote healthcare and inclusive of a range of health related services

Telemedicine Direct patient clinical

services

Terminology

Originating Site The patient is located

Patient Presenter A trained individual who

facilitates the exam. This person is present with the patient at the originating site.

Distant Site The consulting or

specialist provider is located here.

Organizations to Know

National Telehealth Resource Center Provides assistance,

education and information (generally free). http://www.telehealthresourcecenter.org/

American Telemedicine Association Advocacy organization

promoting integration of telemedicine into health care systems http://www.americantelemed.org/home

Center for Rural Health Innovation Apply technology to

improve access to health care in rural communities http://crhi.org/

School-based Telemedicine Across the U.S. SBT in Michigan

Benefitsof Telehealth

Effective care Improved collaboration Reduced absenteeism and improved convenience

Satisfaction with health education Cost-effective

Barriers Start up Maintenance Technical expertise and equipment Reimbursement Stakeholder buy-in

to Implementation

Overcoming Barriers

At Start Up Assess needs

Secure community support

Evaluate resources

Obtain funding

Evaluate and purchase equipment

Establish technical support

Establish provider school agreements

Adapt and design space

Train staff

Maintaining the program Regular feedback and

trouble shooting

Collaboration among stakeholders

Ongoing training readily available

Continual technical support

Sustainable funding

Resources

U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, which is part of the Office of Rural Health Policy

National Telehealth Resource Center http://www.telehealthresourcecenter.org/

National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center http://www.telehealthtechnology.org/home

Regional Telehealth Resource Centers with helpful and comprehensive content

California http://www.caltrc.org/

Great Plains http://www.gptrac.org/

Mid-Atlantic http://www.matrc.org/

Northwest https://www.nrtrc.org/

Southwest http://www.southwesttrc.org/

Citations

Reynolds CA, Maughan ED. Telehealth in the school setting: An integrative review. J School Nursing. 2015. 31(1): 44-53.

California Telehealth Resource Center. The CTRC Telehealth Program Developer Kit. 2014.

American Telemedicine Association. Telemedicine/ Telehealth Terminology