Upload
agnes-ford
View
215
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Keewaytinook OkimakanakDeveloping Telehealth
Initiatives in First Nations
http://health.knet.ca/telehealth
Orpah McKenzie, KO Health [email protected]
First Nations Connect Conference
February 11-14, 2001 - Thunder Bay, ON
ISSUES EXPRESSED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERSCommunity Consultation Report, 2000
(http://health.knet.ca/telehealth/docs/KO-telehealth-consult.htm)
The overall reaction to local telehealth access was positive but common concerns were expressed during the consultation:
• physical location of the telemedicine suite and the integration
with existing services
• the introduction of telemedicine services (levels, timeframes)
• privacy and security (i.e. how user confidentiality would be
respected)
• possibility of fewer CHNs and/or physicians in the communities
• effect on local health transportation services
• local coordination and staffing (distribution of work and training)
• sustainability
TELEPSYCHIATRY PILOT PROJECT1999 - 2001
(http://health.knet.ca/telepsychiatry.html)
Project Goals:• Maximize access to professional services for isolated
communities through the use of videoconferencing
• Minimize the disruption to clients
• Utilize and enhance the capabilities and skills of
community support persons in terms of overall care
of clients
• Determine whether this method of mental health
intervention is less expensive than the traditional
face-to-face process
Project Planning(Chief, Council, local Health staff, staff at Keewaytinook
Okimakanak, project coordinator and psychiatrist)
• community orientation
• community education and awareness
• determining effective structures, procedures and
protocols
• screening clients for appropriateness of the tele-
psychiatric consult medium
• organizing and implementing the video consultations
• evaluation of acceptance by the clients
LESSONS LEARNED(from the telepsychiatry pilot project - fall 2000)
Telehealth takes TIME-requires planning, teamwork Telehealth takes new money for equipment and staffing Telehealth involves CHANGE- way of doing business Need to negotiate with technology providers! Support from other health professionals will take time. Control of program and applications belongs with the
community Appropriate training, facilities and support systems must be
available for the workers and the clients Telehealth cannot be used to replace, but rather to enhance
existing services Partnerships at all levels are required (effective
communication systems must be in place)
Next Steps• Electronic Patient Medical Records
– proposed project for records to move with patient electronically
• KO Health Centre (a modern “Smart” Facility)– coordinated physician, nurse, hostel, administration services
• Developing and Supporting First Nation “Smart” Health
Facilities and Services– new Nursing Station in Poplar Hill, up grade of Health Services in North
Spirit Lake and Keewaywin to full Nursing station status
– full time nursing services in each First Nation
– children-centred programs (Head Start), home care services with call
centre support, diabetes education and support programs
• On-line Health Education and Training programs for First
Nation staff and professional development