Impact of technology on access to care and utilization capacity


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

3342.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 8

Abstract #112334

Stacy Maines, BS, Center for Community Development, School of Rural Public Health, 1103 University Dr., 200, College Station, TX 77840, (979) 845-6953, samaines@srph.tamhsc.edu, Samih Hasan, Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, 1103 University Drive East, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, Amber Schickedanz, MPH, Community Health Development Program, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, and Jay Jezierski, MPH, Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840.

The multiple levels of disparities existing in the current healthcare milieu in the United States are exacerbated by a chronic lack of access to care. A variety of reasons ranging from funding restrictions to a shortage of providers has produced the need for creative solutions to the growing problem of access for a growing number of citizens. Along with collaborative efforts made by providers, some have relied on telehealth technology to aid in combating this problem.

The Brazos Valley Health Partnership (BVHP) has developed a telehealth strategy aiming to provide services to the rural counties of the Brazos Valley lacking adequate healthcare services. Through a shared attempt to serve a multitude of clients simultaneously in various locations, BVHP providers have shared resources such as space, telehealth equipment and trained personnel to establish services utilizing the technology.

One such provider, the Brazos Valley Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (BVCASA) utilizes the telehealth technology to provide counseling services. The chemical dependency counselor is able to transmit to more than one county and serve a greater number of clients, simultaneously. Additionally, the BVHP is exploring other possibilities for providing services such as primary care, specialty care, and educational services. The partnership uses the technology on a regular basis for committee meetings and is seeking funding to expand the existing telehealth network to further support the rural areas of the Brazos Valley. Ultimately, the BVHP aims to offer a sustainable solution to providing better access to services for rural residents.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, attendees will be able to

1)Outline current issues with the lack of access to health care and public health services
2)Describe the BVHP’s strategy to overcome the problems with lack of access through telehealth technology
3)List benefits to providing services via telehealth technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Novel and Creative Approaches in Health Education

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA