Telehealth
For patients, having to travel long distances for health care can often mean high costs, loss of time with loved ones and added stress during an already stressful time. To address this situation, University Health Network (UHN) introduced Telehealth videoconferencing - a secure service linking patients and their health care providers separated by distance through the use of a computer and video technology.
Once considered a tool strictly for an office boardroom, videoconferencing technology is changing the way physicians follow up with patients. Since 2002, Telehealth has facilitated more than 3,000 clinical consultations across UHN for patients living outside the GTA. In addition, the interactive tool provides education and administrative activities to more than 400 health care sites throughout Ontario.
Telehealth is the use of live, interactive videoconferencing to link people in rural and remote areas with their health care providers.
Dr. Michael Jewett, a Surgical Oncologist at UHN's Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), has used Telehealth for the past four years to virtually meet with some of his patients. "As a surgeon it works perfectly. I can see the patient's incision and I can share the pathology results with the patient," said Jewett. "It is a very satisfying experience to see how satisfied patients are that we have made the trouble to do it. There is no question that this is patient centered care."
UHN has also introduced Telehealth in PMH's Bone Marrow Transplant Program for rural and remote patients. Post-transplant symptom management can be extremely complex. Patients traditionally require frequent follow-up appointments at specialized centres in order to minimize both treatment side effects and the risk of transplant rejection.
"With Telehealth videoconferencing, patients don't have to come to us physically. They can connect with us virtually and we with them to help them manage their health and their wellness," explained Sharon McGonigle, Telehealth Coordinator for UHN. "We like to be responsive to both our patients and clinician needs. When our users speak, we listen."
Urban TelehealthVideoconferencing can provide distant care across urban landscapes.
Aimed at patients limited by their medical condition rather than geographical distance, the Urban Telehealth Initiative helps eliminate visits that may be difficult, inconvenient and costly for patients and their families. Launched between UHN and St. John's Rehab Hospital, Urban Telehealth visits replace weekly in-person visits for UHN Post Organ Transplant Recipients whose rehabilitation phase occurs at St. John's Rehab Hospital.
"Videoconferencing can provide distant care across urban landscapes,"said Dr. Lianne Singer, Medical Director of UHN's Transplant Program. "Some of our patients are facing a long road to recovery after a transplant and facing frequent trips to the hospital can slow their recovery even further. We seized the opportunity to use videoconferencing once the UHN Telehealth Team met with us to explore ways to improve remote patient care."