Telehealth is an umbrella term for delivering health services and information using electronic methods. It can include physicians discussing a patient’s illness by telephone, video conferencing between health facilities, and even remote surgical procedures.
Patients can also practice telehealth by using e-mail to set up appointments with a physician or using smart phones and online applications to fill prescriptions at a pharmacy. Some example uses of telehealth are:
- Exchange and management of medical data
- Physician training and consultation
- Health advice via telephone
- Patient records transfer
Remote medical care is an important aspect of telehealth for rural America as it can improve services provided to underserved areas. This guide describes telehealth initiatives in rural areas including telemedicine and health information technology.
Related Guides
Funding
Community Connect Broadband Grant Program
Grants for communities without broadband service to provide residential service and connect facilities such as police and fire stations, health care, libraries and schools. Priority will be given to rural areas that have the greatest need.
Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program
This program furnishes loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide service at the broadband lending speed in eligible rural areas.
USAC Rural Health Care Service Discounts
Provides discounts to rural health care providers to obtain Internet and telecommunications access.
Inactive Funding
Inactive Funding Opportunities -
Lists additional funding programs for this topic that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
Advancing California’s Leadership in Telehealth Policy: A Telehealth Model Statute & Other Policy Recommendations
Author(s): Bonnie Preston, Patricia E. Powers, Mei Wa Kwong
Report puts forth a Model Statute, a platform for the ideal California telehealth policy environment, developed by the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP).
Date: 02 / 2011
Building Blocks for Cultural Integration in the Development and Establishment of Rural VA Telemental Health Clinics for Native Veterans
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Rural Health Resource Center Western Region: Native Domain
Offers a short overview, plus suggestions and tips for setting up, operating, and maintaining Telemental Health (TMH) Clinics, in the form of live interactive videoconferencing.
Creating Telemedicine-Based Medical Networks for Rural and Frontier Areas
Author(s): Leonard R. Graziplene
Describes a three part approach that can leverage Recovery Act initiatives for
launching new technologies that address the needs of medically underserved areas.
Date: 2009
Crossroads of Telehealth, Electronic Health Records & Health Information Exchange
Author(s): Christina Beach Thielst
Sponsoring organization: Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center
Describes how telehealth implementation can address changes in the health care delivery landscape brought on by the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), the PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), and FCC's (Federal Communications Commission) Broadband Plan.
Date: 2010
e-Emergency Services Bring Specialists to Rural Patients with the Push of a Button
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
More and more specialists are available to small hospitals via telemedicine, benefiting patients—and doctors. Highlights Avera eEmergency Services, a hospital-based telemedicine emergency support service available in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08 / 2011
Economic Impact of Telemedicine Capability in a Rural Hospital
Author(s): Brian E. Whitacre, Pamela S. Hartman, Sarah W. Boggs
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Rural Health Works
Seeks to explain some of the most common forms of telemedicine used in rural areas today and determine their importance to the local economy.
Date: 12 / 2007
National Broadband Map
Sponsoring organization: Great Plains Telehealth Resource and Assistance Center
Highlights the differences in broadband availability in rural versus urban areas. Includes speed availability, technology, and provider availability.
Date: 02 / 2011
National Telemedicine Initiatives: Essential to Healthcare Reform
Author(s): Rashid L. Bashshur, Gary W. Shannon
Sponsoring organization: American Telemedicine Association
Describes how telemedicine initiatives are an integral part to health reform strategies. Identifies the benefits of telemedicine to rural communities.
Date: 07 / 2009
Practical Guide to Effective Use of EHR Systems: Guide 4
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
A guide for the effective and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) and to tap into the available incentives under Medicare and Medicaid stimulus funds.
Date: 06 / 2009
Practical Guide to Electronic Prescribing: Guide 3
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health
A guide to help providers meet Minnesota’s 2011 e-prescribing mandate and to tap into incentives under Medicare and Medicaid stimulus funds.
Date: 06 / 2009
Rationale and Design: Telepsychology Service Delivery for Depressed Elderly Veterans
Author(s): Leonard E. Egede, Christopher B. Frueh, Lisa K. Richardson, et al.
Sponsoring organization: BioMed Central
Describes a study and medical trial that will work to provide telepsychology services for depressed, elderly veterans living in rural America.
Date: 04 / 2009
Rural Hospitals and Telepharmacy
Author(s): Petra S. Berger
Sponsoring organization: Risk Management and Patient Safety Institute
Describes the implementation of the North Dakota state wide rural telepharmacy project. North Dakota became the first state to pass administrative rules allowing the practice of telepharmacy.
Date: 02 / 2006
Tele-Health Promotion for Rural People with Disabilities: Toward a Technology Assisted Peer Support Model
Author(s): Craig Ravesloot
Sponsoring organization: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
Looks at the usability of Internet health promotion programs by rural people with disabilities.
Date: 09 / 2007
Telehealth Services: Rural Health Fact Sheet Series
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Contains information on originating sites, distant site practitioners, telehealth services, billing and payment for professional services furnished via telehealth as well as for the originating site facility fee, and a list of helpful websites.
Date: 02 / 2012
Telehealth Technical Assistance Manual
Author(s): Samuel G. Burgiss
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
Provides information to assist in the planning of
telehealth and telemedicine projects for rural
community and migrant health centers and
other health care organizations. Includes a step-by-step telehealth planning process.
Date: 10 / 2006
Telemedicine Reaches Beyond Clinic Walls: Network Help Extend Access
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Discusses how telemedicine isn't confined to hospitals. It can reach patients in nursing homes, prisons and isolated geographic regions.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08 / 2011
Telemedicine Revolutionizing Rural Cancer Care
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Describes the prevalence and importance of the role telemedicine has in treating cancer patients living in rural areas.
Date: 11 / 2008
Telemedicine: An Essential Technology for Reformed Healthcare
Describes the history of telemedicine in the U.S. and examines the role telemedicine plays in health system reform efforts nationally and internationally, including how it reduces barriers to care in rural areas.
Date: 05 / 2011
Organizations
American Telemedicine Association (ATA)
National organization
Promotes access to medical care for consumers and health professionals via telecommunications technology.
Center for Telemedicine Law (CTL)
National organization
The Center for Telemedicine Law (CTL) is a non-profit entity founded by organizations committed to providing high quality patient services through the use of telemedicine systems throughout the United States and the world.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Federal government
Works to spur innovation, encourage competition, help create jobs and provide consumers with more choices and better quality telecommunications products and services at lower prices. Part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC)
Federal government
Works to enhance the overall quality of military healthcare through telemedicine research and development. Part of the United States Army Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC).
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Provides states and U.S. territories with access to affordable telecommunications services through the Universal Service Fund. Administers four programs: High Cost, Low Income, Rural Health Care, and the Schools and Libraries Program.
Terms & Acronyms
Telemental Health Services All mental health services whose delivery is assisted by telecommunications technologies, including telepsychiatry.
Article Searches & Bibliographies
RAC Documents Search: Telehealth and Telemedicine
PubMed Search: Telemedicine and Rural Health Services
Searches PubMed's collection of journal article citations with abstracts for items related to this topic and published in the United States during the last five years.
Some citations link to the full text of articles through PubMed Central, through your library’s electronic and print holdings, or through the journal's publisher. The first two provide free access; the latter may require payment. Check with your local library for details or call your Regional Medical Library at 800.338.7657.
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