Telemedicine Could Cut Down on Stressful Travel for High-Risk Pregnant Patients
Distance to other specialists |
In addition to high-risk pregnancy specialists, rural Pennsylvanians have limited access to dermatologists and a number of other medical specialists.
Approximately 600,000 people live 25 miles from a hematologist or oncologist.
Nearly half a million residents live that far from a gastroenterologist or neurologist.
About 400,000 are farther than 25 miles from a cardiologist, while about 200,000 are that far from a radiologist or an orthopedist.
Increased use of telemedicine would make it easier for these residents—many of whom are elderly—to see any one of these types of specialists. |
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Despite what city folk may think, Clearfield is not the health care equivalent of falling off the edge of the earth. Women in the Clearfield area can expect good care from Tom Carnevale, MD, and his OB/GYN practice as well as the other physicians and hospitals in the area.
But when presented with a high-risk pregnancy, Dr. Carnevale has to refer the patient to a specialist two hours away at Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh or at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
More than 3 million Pennsylvanians live farther than 25 miles from a high-risk pregnancy specialist, putting stress on women and fetuses that are already in a vulnerable state.
Delivery of care for high-risk pregnancies could be enhanced through the use of telemedicine and digital technology.
The Pennsylvania Medical Society is leading a project that is seeking to increase availability of the broadband Internet access necessary for telemedicine. The project is funded by a grant from the Broadband and Outreach Aggregation Fund (BOAF) through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
“If I have someone who is really sick, who will need intensive care, I send them to Pittsburgh for consultation and often for the delivery,” said Dr. Carnevale. “Broadband would help me co-manage the patient and save her a trip to Pittsburgh.”
One use, for example, would be for genetic counseling. Currently, patients who need genetic counseling must go to Pittsburgh or Danville to see a counselor. When amniocentesis is recommended, some patients feel pressure to have the test on the spot rather than make a second two-hour trip.
“If the genetic counseling was done remotely by video and an amnio was recommended, the patient would have more time to think about the options and risks,” said Dr. Carnevale.
Travel to Pittsburgh puts a stress on families, Dr. Carnevale said. Rural families find the trip to the city stressful and unfamiliar, and those making the trip must lose a day or two of work.
Certainly, broadband access and telemedicine won’t solve every problem for women with high-risk pregnancies. It’s best if these women have their babies in a hospital with the right specialists and facilities like a neonatal intensive care unit.
But better access to broadband and telemedicine technologies will make it far easier to go through the trauma of a difficult pregnancy and, it is anticipated, will result in better outcomes for these deliveries.
Last Updated: 6/17/2008