scholarly journals Rural and remote communities - innovation in the midst of adversity

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Worley
Keyword(s):  
Rural And Remote ◽  
Remote Communities

scholarly journals Development and assessment of a telesonography system for musculoskeletal imaging

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Obaid ◽  
Qianwei Zhang ◽  
Scott J. Adams ◽  
Reza Fotouhi ◽  
Haron Obaid
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Ultrasound Probe ◽  
Rural And Remote ◽  
Significant Delay ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Internet Connection ◽  
Good For ◽  
4 Degrees Of Freedom

Abstract Background Telesonography systems have been developed to overcome barriers to accessing diagnostic ultrasound for patients in rural and remote communities. However, most previous telesonography systems have been designed for performing only abdominal and obstetrical exams. In this paper, we describe the development and assessment of a musculoskeletal (MSK) telesonography system. Methods We developed a 4-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) robot to manipulate an ultrasound probe. The robot was remotely controlled by a radiologist operating a joystick at the master site. The telesonography system was used to scan participants’ forearms, and all participants were conventionally scanned for comparison. Participants and radiologists were surveyed regarding their experience. Images from both scanning methods were independently assessed by an MSK radiologist. Results All ten ultrasound exams were successfully performed using our developed MSK telesonography system, with no significant delay in movement. The duration (mean ± standard deviation) of telerobotic and conventional exams was 4.6 ± 0.9 and 1.4 ± 0.5 min, respectively (p = 0.039). An MSK radiologist rated quality of real-time ultrasound images transmitted over an internet connection as “very good” for all telesonography exams, and participants rated communication with the radiologist as “very good” or “good” for all exams. Visualisation of anatomic structures was similar between telerobotic and conventional methods, with no statistically significant differences. Conclusions The MSK telesonography system developed in this study is feasible for performing soft tissue ultrasound exams. The advancement of this system may allow MSK ultrasound exams to be performed over long distances, increasing access to ultrasound for patients in rural and remote communities.

scholarly journals Virtual care with digital technologies for rural and remote Canadians living with cardiovascular disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Buyting ◽  
Sarah Melville ◽  
Hanif Chatur ◽  
Christopher W. White ◽  
Jean-François Légaré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Rural And Remote ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Virtual Care ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Canada Health Act ◽  
Care Technology

AbstractCanada is a wealthy nation with a geographically diverse population, seeking health innovations to better serve patients in accordance with the Canada Health Act. In this country, population and geography converge with social determinants, policy, procurement regulations, and technological advances, in order to achieve equity in the management and distribution of healthcare. Rural and remote patients are a vulnerable population; when managing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, there is inequity when it comes to accessing specialist physicians at the recommended frequency—increasing the likelihood of poor health outcomes. Ensuring equitable care for this population is an unrealized priority of several provincial and federal government mandates. Virtual care technology may provide practical, economical, and innovative solutions to remedy this discrepancy. Here we review the literature pertaining to the use of virtual care technologies to monitor patients with cardiovascular disease living in rural areas of Canada. A search strategy was developed to identify the literature specific to this context across three bibliographic databases. 166 unique citations were ultimately assessed for eligibility, of which 36 met the inclusion criteria. In our assessment of these articles, we provide a summary of the interventions studied, their reported effectiveness in reducing adverse events and mortality, the challenges to implementation, and the receptivity of these technologies amongst patients, providers and policy makers. Further, we glean insight into the barriers and opportunities to ensure equitable care for rural patients and conclude that there is an ongoing need for clinical trials assessing virtual care technologies in this context.SummaryPatients living in rural and remote communities’ experience diverse challenges to receiving equitable healthcare as is mandated by the Canada Health Act. Advances in virtual care technology may provide practical, economical, and innovative solutions to ensure this for patients in remote and rural living situations. Here we provide a state-of-the-art review of virtual care technologies available to patients with cardiovascular disease living in rural areas of Canada.

Application of Wireless Data Grids for Health Informatics

2008 ◽  
pp. 61-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omer Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Health Informatics ◽  
Data Access ◽  
Rural And Remote ◽  
Wireless Data ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Rural And Remote Areas ◽  
Information And Communication

Distance and inaccessibility create special challenges for health practitioners in rural and remote areas. Health professionals in rural and remote areas face problems such as prescription concerns due to lack of information. This occurs due to a gap in knowledge regarding medications, as health practitioners do not have access to medical history of their patients. Frequent migration of patients in rural and remote communities results in the loss of patients’ medical records. In addition, doctors have limited access to therapeutic information, as searching the Internet from most remote communities is expensive and slow. In addition, frequent migration of patients in remote communities results in the loss of patients’ histories. This chapter proposes a refined conceptual health information management model based on the model presented by Mahmood (2006). The discussed model is based on the use of Data Grid technology and Data Recharging techniques employed in conjunction with wireless communication technologies to overcome the problems and challenges faced by health practitioners. The model categorizes the health establishments in remote areas into two categories on the basis of geographical characteristics and data access requirements. The discussed model aims to meet information and communication technology (ICT) requirements of health practitioners operating in each recognized category.

Removed but not Out of Reach: Seniors with Depression in Smaller Center, Rural, and Remote Communities

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 616-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Twilla Welch ◽  
Mark Welch ◽  
John Baer ◽  
Jeff Dias ◽  
Corinne Gurney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural And Remote ◽  
Remote Communities
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