Telehealth Technology Allows Rural Children To Receive Specialty Care
The use of telehealth technology in California has allowed pediatric specialists to provide care to children living in rural areas of the state, HealthyCal reports.
Difficulties of Obtaining Specialist Care in Remote Areas
James Marcin -- professor of pediatric critical care medicine and director of the UC-Davis Health System Pediatric Telemedicine Program -- said that rural areas generally cannot support specialized physicians.
In addition, Anne Simon -- pediatric audiologist at UC-Davis Medical Center -- said that families living in remote regions sometimes have to drive for several hours to see a specialist, making follow-up appointments too difficult to complete.
UC-Davis Program
Through the telehealth program at UC-Davis, specialists can provide remote consultations to physicians treating patients in remote or underserved locations.
This year, the program seeks to help 60 infants complete hearing tests (Gilligan, HealthyCal, 3/26).
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