Telehealth Clinic Expands to More Rural Schools
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Rural School Clinic Network continues to broaden its reach throughout the Hoosier State, connecting more school nurses and educators with health care providers.
The IRSCN announced school districts in three more counties, Daviess, Martin and Putnam, have opened school-based telehealth clinics.
Telehealth clinics allow schools in remote areas to connect with doctors or health care providers when a student is ill.
“Schools will have access to an Indiana licensed physician or provider from a hospital who will use high-tech and high-resolution diagnostic technology – such as an electronic otoscope or digital stethoscope – to digitally view ears, eyes and throat as needed during a student’s visit,” said Kathleen Chelminiak, project director of the IRSCN.
These clinics mean that parents will not have to leave work or drive to the school to pick their child up for a routine exam or illness.
The medical provider can send follow-up information to the children’s physician and prescriptions directly to local pharmacies for pickup.
“Our goal is to provide high quality healthcare quickly and remove any barriers to accessing primary care,” said Chelminiak.
Schools in North Daviess, Loogootee, Barr-Reeve and Cloverdale now have the technology. School nurses and other staff received training on how to use the equipment.
“We are confident children will receive quality healthcare that is more accessible to them than it ever has been before,” said Don Kelso, executive director of the Indiana Rural Health Association, which provides grants for the telehealth clinic program.