Eight-year-old Indra was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes three years ago and since then, they've had to regularly travel long distances to see pediatric specialists.
But thankfully Telehealth is changing the face of treatment for people in rural areas.
Ms Susila said Telehealth allowed Mackay Base Hospital director of children and adolescent health Dr Michael Williams to connect with rural doctors by video conferencing to other hospitals over the internet in communities like Proserpine, Dysart, Bowen, Collinsville, Clermont and Moranbah.
"I think its great to have that back-up support, especially with an illness like Type 1 diabetes. You are constantly changing insulin doses and things like that," Ms Susila said.
She said it was great to be able to contact Indra's doctor at any time using the telemedicine conference method.
"Its just wonderful... we can have the regular appointments without having to go all the way to Mackay."
Dr Williams said the service would support both the carer and the child suffering from acute problems.
"We are able to go into the ward with them via Telehealth and we can help them sort out and manage their acute illness with their local doctor," Dr Williams said.
"We can see the child, we can speak with everyone that is there and we can look at the observations on the monitor.
"As a result we can make a much more considered consultation compared to just speaking to doctors over the phone."
Dr Williams discovered in 47% of cases transfer to another hospital was avoided because of teleconsultations.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Sid Russel
Quelle/Source: Daily Mercury, 21.12.2013
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