Physicians at Oregon hospitals and health systems are increasingly using telemedicine networks to connect with patients in an effort to expand access to services and reduce costs, the Oregonian reports.
For example, Providence Health & Services has developed a network that connects its hospitals in four different sites, while Oregon Health & Science University and Legacy Health System also are linking with affiliated facilities.
Specific Services
Many hospitals now are using telemedicine to examine burn, pediatric and stroke patients living in remote areas (Rojas-Burke, Oregonian, 7/27).
One program also is studying the effectiveness of long-distance eye care in rural tribal communities with the goal of increasing the frequency of eye tests among patients with diabetes (Dworkin, Oregonian, 7/28).
Overcoming Adoption Obstacles
Although telemedicine has provided a way to administer better medical care to rural communities, high costs, technical difficulties and reimbursement concerns have deterred health care providers from adopting the technology.
However, computer advancements have reduced costs, Internet connections have become more reliable and Oregon lawmakers have required insurers to reimburse for telemedicine services, all of which have prompted more state hospitals to expand their offerings.
According to some experts, expanding telemedicine networks could help mitigate the predicted nationwide physician shortage and bolster hospitals' incomes by connecting more patients with specialists (Oregonian, 7/27).