Just like it's getting easier to have a video-chat at home, using a tiny webcam, it's also easier to practice medicine across long distances. Seattle Children's Hospital has been building it's tele-medicine connections to cities across Washington, and as far as Missoula and Anchorage.
Dr. Mark Lewin, a cardiologist, demonstrated how it can work. He checked an echocardiogram of a baby born ten weeks early, at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, Wash. Lewin specializes in diagnosing hard to spot defects in the heart. He had a quick conversation with doctors in the ICU in Richland, and with the parents, and directed them to move the ultrasound device around the infant's chest, to get different views of the beating heart.
Psychiatry is another specialty that's seen growing demand for remote diagnosis and treatment. A study based at Seattle Children's is examining whether these remote consultations are as effective as in-person meetings.
This is all of interest not just to medical innovators, but to the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachoswski.
"What we saw today is a terrific demonstration of the benefits of telemedicine," said Genachoswski. "What we saw today should be the rule, and right now it still largely the exception in the United States."
The FCC is spending $400 million dollars to expand broadband access in rural areas, including about $700,000 on a network connecting 120 hospitals and clinics in Washington. The FCC is also launching a unique partnership with another federal agency, the Food and Drug Administration. The goal is to help spur innovation of devices that could allow medical treatment through internet connections. Already, companies are making millions in the emerging industry.
Some people are also calling for new rules, to prevent possible fraud. For example, shady doctors could pose as specialists over the internet.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Keith Seinfeld
Quelle/Source: KPLU, 13.08.2010
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