Telemedicine
Telemedicine is a powerful means to diminish disparities in care delivery
to rural populations. The Native American Cardiology Program, in conjunction
with both the Indian Health Service Telemedicine Program and the Arizona Telemedicine
Program, has been at the forefront of telemedicine outreach.
The goal of our efforts is to expand and intensify delivery of cardiac care to more distant and rural Indian Health Service sites. Telemedicine allows us to provide expanded care and interaction to distant areas; we currently interpret ECGs, electrocardiograms and perform real time stress ecocardiography using this technology.
Holter monitor interpretation has been set up at several IHS facilities . Tele-consultation clinics with our cardiology staff help to facilitate care delivery, provide triage for inpatient and outpatient questions and fill the need for specialist input through “telepresence”.
The cardiologists have provided continuing medical education lectures for healthcare providers. A clinical nutritionist is available to provide tele-consultation and advice for patients using this technology.
