Telemedicine Reduces Time Away from Work and School
When parents are struggling to maintain an hourly job, a sick child (requiring time away from work) could jeopardize their employment. That’s why Wilson Commencement Park (WCP) is participating in an innovative program for treating children with common illnesses in the Early Learning Center (ELC). In collaboration with University of Rochester Medical Center’s Health-e-Access program, with national grant funding secured by Strong Memorial Hospital, WCP began providing telemedicine service the first week in March 2004. The majority of the children at the ELC are registered to participate.
How does it work?
When a child has a common illness, such as an ear infection, the teacher or parent may bring the child to the ELC telemedicine coordinator for an exam. Her office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology — a personal computer, video camera, and other special instruments — enabling her to send live magnified images, high-resolution pictures, and sounds to medical professionals at the hospital. The doctor, the telemedicine coordinator, and the child can see and talk to each other during the examination, enabling the doctor to diagnose the illness and prescribe necessary treatment. The ELC contacts the parent before the visit. If medication is prescribed, the parent may request that the doctor call it in to either the pharmacy of her choice or the pharmacy that will deliver it to WCP. After the exam, Strong faxes a discharge report to the parent via the ELC and the child’s primary care physician.
Benefits
Telemedicine makes it easier for families to deal with their young children’s illnesses, while reducing time away from work and school.
• Allows parents to work - Parents don’t need to travel to the doctor’s office or emergency room and to a pharmacy, which could easily take a full day when relying on public transportation. The parent may attend the exam at the ELC or simple ask to have the child examined.
• Better attendance - In many cases, the ELC can quickly determine that a child’s illness is not contagious, initiate treatment, and keep the child in day care.
• Enhanced communication - This program has improved communication between parents and the ELC. Now parents tell staff when their children aren’t feeling well, so on-site medical care and treatment can be provided.
Tele-Counseling addresses behavorial issues at ELC
Wilson Commencement Park started providing mental health services in January 2006, using tele-health technology. Psychologists at Strong’s Psychiatry Department work with ELC teachers and parents to resolve behavioral issues. The therapists give parents, teachers and students advice using the ELC’s videoconferencing with this new program, issues can be addressed regularly before equipment escalating into a crisis.
Teledentistry
In 2007, the Eastman Dental Center is providing dental hygiene care to the children in the Early Learning Center. Their goal is to identify at-risk children before extensive treatment is needed. The children will receive a baseline exam, and then will be re-examined six and 12 months later. This technology allows trained personnel to take and transfer digital pictures of a child’s mouth so they can be reviewed by a pediatric dentist remotely. We are grateful for the University of Rochester’s generosity.
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