Case study: the Interact Home Telehealth Project.
Two home telehealth technologies (the Intel Health Guide and the Apple iPad) were trialled by four clinical services of the Hunter New England Local Health District. The iPad was selected by the Paediatric Palliative Care Service, the Stroke Service and the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service. The Intel Health Guide was selected by the Cardiac Coaching Service. The telehealth devices were loaned to a total of 102 patients for different lengths of time, depending on clinical needs, but typically for about 3 months. A total of 42 clinicians were involved. During the trial, 16 technical problems were recorded and resolved, most concerning problems with connectivity. Nonetheless, the use of home telehealth technologies was positively received by clinicians, management and patients alike. Telehealth is now being integrated into the standard practices of the health district.
Clinical Systems Team, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Hunter New England Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia.
Owen
O
Katalinic
Ashley
A
Young
David
D
Doolan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods*; D009517:New South Wales; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult