Meeting the Healthcare Needs of a Rural State

The question of how to provide timely and effective healthcare to residents of rural states is being discussed at both local and national levels. Idaho is included in these discussions because many of the state’s residents live in rural and frontier areas and have limited healthcare access. Telehealth, the use of technology to deliver healthcare remotely, has the potential to change the healthcare landscape throughout Idaho. Currently, the state is lacking a much-needed integrated telehealth system to deliver quality care in rural areas. This presentation will identify the many factors which create a need for telehealth services in Idaho. These findings will be contrasted with findings from states with a current integrated telehealth system. Finally, the presentation will conclude with an evaluation of the remaining obstacles to establishing a statewide-integrated telehealth system