Telemedicine
Thanks to a $72,000 Rural Utilities Service grant disbursed through the US Department of Agriculture, Mobile Mental Health has begun implementing a telemedicine and distance-learning network that will support five rural facilities in Mobile and Washington counties.
Inadequate local professional resources, extended travel, limited facilities, and exorbitant costs are the most common barriers that rural providers face when attempting to supply psychiatric service.
“Recognition of these difficulties has been the driving force behind our determination to develop this project,” Tuerk Schlesinger, MMH CEO, said. “RUS funding will assist in delivering increased and immediate psychiatric physician services in these rural areas.”
The grant funds the development of technology systems necessary to implement a telemedicine program to serve most rural areas of service. “Telemedicine has been a part of our long-range plan for several years now,” Schlesinger said. “Psychiatric and mental health care is an ideal field in which to utilize telemedicine. This grant will assist us as we begin formalizing our program.”
Through telemedicine and distance learning technology, MMH employees can achieve what is required of them without leaving their offices. They also will gain access to group discussions, specialty training and a myriad of other educational opportunities that previously were cost prohibitive. Also, through this technology consumers living in rural areas can receive the care they need without leaving their communities.
According the Steve Dolan, MMH Chief Information Officer, technology systems and hardware should be in place by June.
The RUS grant is part of the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program created to encourage, improve and make affordable the use of telecommunications, computer networks and related technology for rural communities to improve access to educational and/or medical services. Mobile Mental Health was one of 103 grant recipients in 38 states to receive a portion of the $26 million disbursed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
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Established in 1957, Mobile Mental Health plans and facilitates a comprehensive healthcare system
that
promotes the wellness and recovery of children, adolescents, adults, and senior
adults living with
mental illness, substance abuse and mental retardation. |
