Telehealth Technology
By: Wendy Ray
(Sikeston, MO)--People living in rural parts of Missouri often don't get the kind of high-tech medical help available in larger cities
, but Missouri Governor Bob Holden wants to change that. The Governor's plan is called Telehealth, and he says it's a way to provide healthcare to patients at the right time, place, and price.Dr. Karen Edison is a few hundred miles away from Leora Hamilton, but that doesn't matter. With the help of a little camera, Telehealth technology allows her to diagnose Hamilton's skin problem, put her on the right medications, and make her better.
"A patient like me who can't travel to Columbia and then the cost of dermatology," Hamilton says. "It's a good program for patients who are low income." Dr. Musa Wadi at Sikeston Family Clinic says, "For the last two months Ms. Hamilton's come to the clinic we've tried to treat her here but we're not specialists in dermatology. Without the help of Dr. Edison in Columbia we would not have been able to cure her, now she's cured."
"Telehealth is about as 90 percent good as us being there, because our job is so visual," Dr. Edison says. Governor Holden wanted the Telehealth network in Missouri, so local healthcare workers could provide care to patients whenever they need it, without having to travel for the latest in medical care. "It's providing healthcare for people who would have waited longer, forcing them to go to the emergency room and costing them more money to taxpayers instead of solving the problem immediately,"
Governor Holden says. Hamilton's happy with the results she's seen from Telehealth. Hamilton tells Dr. Edison she felt better three days after she took the medication she prescribed. "The time she spends at the clinic, the cost to the clinic, and cost to her, have been reduced," Governor Holden says.
There are 30 Telehealth sites in Missouri, including Sikeston, New Madrid, Lilbourn, Bernie, Kennett, and Portageville.
The makeup of bacteria in your dog's digestive tract may be more like your own than you think, researchers say.
The makeup of bacteria in your dog's digestive tract may be more like your own than you think, researchers say.
New research sheds light on why some people's blood pressure is especially sensitive to salt.
New research sheds light on why some people's blood pressure is especially sensitive to salt.
Women are more likely than men to suffer a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. But -- surprisingly -- the injury occurs the same way in both genders, a new study reveals.
Women are more likely than men to suffer a knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. But -- surprisingly -- the injury occurs the same way in both genders, a new study reveals.
Americans may be trying to eat healthy, but they're throwing away mountains of produce in the process, a new study suggests.
Americans may be trying to eat healthy, but they're throwing away mountains of produce in the process, a new study suggests.
Wanda Sihanath didn't like the fact that her inherited blood disorder would not allow her to travel far from Chicago to attend college, but what could she do?
Wanda Sihanath didn't like the fact that her inherited blood disorder would not allow her to travel far from Chicago to attend college, but what could she do?
Kentucky officials say three deaths have now been reported in a hepatitis A outbreak in six counties.
Kentucky officials say three deaths have now been reported in a hepatitis A outbreak in six counties.
There's an extra bonus to marriage for melanoma patients: New research says they tend to be diagnosed in earlier more treatable stages than patients who are unmarried, widowed or divorced.
There's an extra bonus to marriage for melanoma patients: New research says they tend to be diagnosed in earlier more treatable stages than patients who are unmarried, widowed or divorced.
There is an investigation into a multi-state cluster of E. coli infections linked to chopped romaine lettuce.
There is an investigation into a multi-state cluster of E. coli infections linked to chopped romaine lettuce.
Of the three who were wrongly diagnosed with cancer, two underwent lumpectomies and radiation treatments.
Of the three who were wrongly diagnosed with cancer, two underwent lumpectomies and radiation treatments.
Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau is now offering the LINX Reflux Management System procedure for those who suffer from acid reflux.
Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau is now offering the LINX Reflux Management System procedure for those who suffer from acid reflux.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is recommending hepatitis A vaccinations for everyone in six counties associated with an outbreak of the illness.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is recommending hepatitis A vaccinations for everyone in six counties associated with an outbreak of the illness.
New research suggests that many more lung cancer patients may benefit from treatments that boost the immune system, which have scored some of their biggest wins until now in less common forms of the disease.
New research suggests that many more lung cancer patients may benefit from treatments that boost the immune system, which have scored some of their biggest wins until now in less common forms of the disease.
Since Jan. 1, the Kentucky Department of Health has confirmed 103 cases of acute Hepatitis A.
Since Jan. 1, the Kentucky Department of Health has confirmed 103 cases of acute Hepatitis A.
Fewer dental cavities are found in kids and young adults. Even so, some minority groups are still most at risk.
Fewer dental cavities are found in kids and young adults. Even so, some minority groups are still most at risk.
The CDC said 35 people have gotten sick and 22 were hospitalized - three of whom had a type of kidney failure.
The CDC said 35 people have gotten sick and 22 were hospitalized - three of whom had a type of kidney failure.