1. Cristina Penon MD, Vani Selvan MD. TTUHSC Family & Community Medicine
TELEMEDICINE:
An Easy Diagnostic Tool for Providers in Hospitalized Patients in West Texas
Cristina Penon MD, Vani Selvan MD. TTUHSC Family & Community Medicine
INTRODUCTION
With technology soaring in the 21st century, telemedicine is on the rise.
1950s—The birth of telemedicine
Allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients at a distance using telecommunications technology
Space Technology Applied to Rural Papago Advanced Health Care
Cost effective alternative to traditional medicine
Recognized by Medicaid
Pros and Cons
WORKUP
CBC, CMP
Coagulation Studies
Thyroid Studies
Urine toxicology
HIV
Blood and Urine Culture
EKG, Chest XR
CT Brain/Head, MRI brain
All the above investigations were NORMAL
Mental Status Examination including basic grooming and hygiene, interpersonal characteristics, behavior, eye contact, expressive language, recall and memory, orientation, thought process, judgement and insight, facial and emotional expressions, orientation, thought process, judgement and insight, facial and emotional expressions.
Change in behavior throughout hospital stay
Patient consistently confused and disoriented about self and surroundings
Patient extremely apologetic
Telepsychiatry consultation
DISCUSSION
Psychiatric Evaluation and Psychopharmacology Assessment before and after behavioral change through Telepsychiatry.
Transient global amnesia, rule out dissociative disorder.
Telepsychiatry made it possible to deem patient unable to make self-medical decisions.
According to the literature, telepsychiatry and face-to-face encounters have similar outcomes regarding diagnosis and treatment.
Use of Information technology to provide remote medical care.
CONCLUSION
Telemedicine plays a role in West Texas, rural practice in diagnosing and treating difficult and complicated behavioral conditions
Telepsychiatry is equal to traditional medicine in evaluating mental health concerns
A cost effective approach to greater mental health care.
CASE SUMMARY
Chief Complaint: AMS
71 year old Caucasian male
HPI, Review of systems
PMHx: Hypertension
PSH: Unknown
Allergies: NKDA
Family Hx: Unknown
Social Hx: Ex-military, denied alcohol, tobacco, drugs. Had pets whom he frequently recalled throughout hospital stay
REFERENCES
1. Freiburger, G., Holcomb, M., & Piper, D. (2007). The STARPACH collection: part of an archive of the history of telemedicine. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 13,
2. Telemedicine. Retrieved from
3. Moore, M. A., Coffman, M., Jetty A. Petterson, S., & Bazemore, A. (2016). Only 15% of FPs Report Using Telehealth; Training and Lack of Reimbursement Are Top Barriers. American Family Physician, 93(2):101.
4. Hubley, S., Lynch S. B., Schneck, C., Thomas, M., & Shore, J. (2016). Review of key telepsychiatry outcomes. World Journal of Psychiatry, 6(2):