Developing Telehealth in Rural America:
The Wyoming Network for Telehealth
Rex E. Gantenbein PhD, Senior Member IEEECenter for Rural Health Research and Education
University of Wyoming
Health Care in Wyoming
Issues in access to health care in rural regions• Distance and isolation• Geography and weather• Shortage of providers• Provider burnout
Telehealth is one way to address these issues• “Telecommunications technologies to support long-
distance clinical health care, health-related education, public health, and health administration”
• Telemedicine refers specifically to clinical applications
Example: access to mental health care• Wyoming has a severe shortage of mental health providers• Primary care providers have significant responsibility for
mental health diagnosis and treatment• Few local options exist for referral or consultation
Telehealth supports increased access • Direct intervention by a distant specialist• Consultation between primary and mental health care
providers• Education and training in diagnosis and care for mental
health
Technical barriers to expanding telehealth• Bandwidth• Endpoint equipment• Training and technical support• Security and privacy
The Wyoming Network for Telehealth (WyNETTE)• Increased bandwidth for 37 sites (hospitals, clinics, and
mental health centers)• Videoconferencing units at all sites• User manuals and online education• Technical support staff
Wyoming Network for Telehealth (WyNETTE)
Funding for WyNETTE development• Telecommunications: Federal Communications Commission
Rural Health Care Pilot Project• Videoconferencing: Wyoming Hospital Association,
Wyoming Department of Health• Management and education: Health Resources and Services
Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services
Network configuration• ATM cloud aggregated at University of Wyoming• Dual and single T-1 connections made to each site• Existing copper wire utilized
Non-technical barriers to expanding telehealth• Reimbursement• Connections for specialty providers to the network• Licensing and credentialing• Resistance to new technology• Sustainability
Wyoming is addressing these barriers• All major payers reimburse for telehealth care• Inexpensive desktop video (NOT Skype!)• Innovative “fast-track” licensing process for out-of-state
providers• Education
Questions or comments?
Rex Gantenbein, DirectorCenter for Rural Health Research and Education
http://www.uwyo.edu/[email protected]
UWYO.EDU
