Health IT, Hospitals

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center sees opportunities for telemedicine expansion in U.S. and overseas markets

India is the latest country where it offers physicians the ability to consult with UPMC specialists in oncology, pulmonology and other specialty areas. It will also add Afghanistan later this month to a growing list of countries where it offers the service.

Telemedicine offers some interesting applications, from underserved communities to a second-opinion service. Increasingly it is also seen as a way to plug gaps in care either for people with non-emergency concerns or physicians in other countries in need of a consult. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has been expanding in both those areas.

India is the latest country where telemedicine offers physicians the ability to consult with UPMC specialists in oncology, pulmonology and other specialty areas. UPMC will also add Afghanistan later this month to a growing list of countries where it offers the service.

TeleChikitsa Ventures, based in Bangalore, helps Indian physicians seeking second opinions from other qualified physicians. It also works with hospitals in China, Singapore and Ireland, as well as with children’s hospitals in Italy and Colombia.

Research has been a big driver of the consult service but with six doctors for every 1,000 patients, the service is also seen as a way to help physicians better serve their patient populations by tapping specialists for insight. Doctors can share patient records and images from a platform developed by the technology development center at UPMC and provide a consult within 48 hours.

In an interview, Dr. Andrew Watson, a colorectal surgeon and chief medical information officer for UPMC’s international and commercial services division, said the push has not been without some challenges, particularly in communication and ensuring that physicians know what doctors at the remote site are looking for. The time difference can be a bit of a challenge as well.

The medical center has also added a telemedicine service for non-emergency cases among its patient population called UPMC AnywhereCare, which is part of its patient portal MyUPMC.

A 24/7 telepediatric component connects families with Children’s Community Pediatrics — board-certified pediatricians in Pennsylvania. It’s designed for children aged 3 and older to be evaluated and receive treatment and diagnoses from CCP pediatricians through video link.

Photo from Flickr

 

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