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TELEMEDICINE AND TELE-MENTAL HEALTH IN WYOMING
Rex E. Gantenbein, PhD
Center for Rural Health Research and Education
WY Psychological Association 10-09
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What is telemedicine?
“[T]he use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve patients' health status” (American Telemedicine Assn.) Telemedicine generally refers to clinical
applications Telehealth is a broader term that also
includes distance education and administrative applications
WY Psychological Association 10-09
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Applications of telemedicine
Telemedicine is especially useful in delivering specialty care to rural or underserved areas Not a separate medical
specialty Telemedicine technologies
Interactive videoconferencing “Store and forward”
transmission of images or data
Remote monitoringWY Psychological Association 10-09
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Applications of telemedicine
Remote patient consultations Specialist referral services Remote patient monitoring Home health care
WY Psychological Association 10-09
Telemedicine and mental health
Mental health services are hard to access in Wyoming
Telemedicine/telehealth can: Provide live remote access to
specialists Support collaboration with primary
care providers in local communities Deliver education to local providers
on mental health diagnosis and therapy 5
WY Psychological Association 10-09
Telemedicine and mental health
Resources needed for tele-mental health practice Videoconferencing equipment Bandwidth Security and privacy protections Local coordinators Practice and emergency protocols
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Tele-mental health projects in Wyoming
Wyoming Telehealth Trauma Treatment Clinic (WTTTC)
Wyoming Network for Telehealth (WyNETTE)
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WTTTC
Specialty clinic providing free therapy to rural victims of sexual or physical assault, crime, or domestic violence Housed in UW Psychology Clinic Services provided by video to crisis
centers in Cheyenne, Rawlins, and Gillette
WY Psychological Association 10-09
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WyNETTE
Vision: a statewide telehealth network with particular emphasis on mental health applications Upgrade telecommunications
infrastructure Implement educational, clinical, and
administrative applications Improve the knowledge and capabilities
of the state’s health care workforce about telehealth
Develop strategies for sustainability
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WyNETTE
Steps toward this vision Funding from FCC Rural Health Care
Pilot Program Install dedicated high-speed connectivity
for 39 sites, including small hospitals, community mental health clinics, and substance abuse centers
Funding from HRSA Offices of Rural Health Policy and Health Information Technology
Develop operational and management structure
Create business plan and service modelsWY Psychological Association
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WyNETTE
Issues to be addressed Equipment and communications
costs Technical training and support Quality of distance services Licensing and credentialing Reimbursement Liability Concerns over security and privacyWY Psychological Association
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Questions/comments?
WTTTC: Dr. Matt [email protected]
WyNETTE: Dr. Rex [email protected]://www.uwyo.edu/health
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Sources for more information
American Telemedicine Association http://www.americantelemed.org
Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (Spokane WA) http://www.nrtrc.org
HRSA Health IT adoption toolbox http://healthit.ahrq.gov WY Psychological Association
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