|
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Student Mental Health at Georgia Southern University: This
project uses Internet-based video conferencing to enhance student mental
health care at a rural university by supplementing on-campus counseling
services with medication management by psychiatrists. Pilot project
success has stimulated efforts to extend the service through the
university system and document reduction of lost class time and
improvement of both student grades and graduation rates.
- Health System Pharmacy Resources Network: Using Internet
technologies (password protected web site access to information, e-mail,
PDA and tablet PC technologies), provide rural Critical Access Hospitals
and Community Health Centers that have limited expertise and financial
resources access to drug choice and exchange information, drug safety
and optimal use guidelines, and drug policy information developed by
tertiary health centers. (Preliminary work under way; full funding
pending.
- Telestroke Project: Addresses the clinical and business
problems of remote evaluation of stroke victims potentially eligible for
clot lysis, in whom therapy decisions must be made within a narrow
window of time. Uses Telehealth technologies to provide 24 x 7 rural
access to neurological expertise for patient evaluation, radiology
interpretation, and the safety of drug intervention.
- Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Model: Uses a multimedia
free-standing touch screen kiosk to present information targeting risk
for CRC and education about screening, diagnosis, and management
processes. Implemented in public places such as primary practice waiting
rooms and pharmacies. Gives individuals identified at risk for CRC an
immediate opportunity to participate in home fecal occult blood testing
(FOBT), and thus capture a greater proportion of at-risk patients than
currently inadequate screening efforts. (Preliminary work under way;
full funding pending.)
- Jefferson County/Hospital Emergency and Mental Health Network:
Developing a model for a within-county network, linked Georgia’s health
science university, to enhance emergency services, facilitate
appropriate transfers, and reduce inappropriate transfers. In addition,
the link provides tele-access to acute and chronic mental health
services not currently available in Jefferson County. Links the
community to Public Health for disaster preparedness training,
information support for first responders, and improved public health
information exchange. (Preliminary work under way; full funding
pending.)
- Health Station: Proposes use of Telehealth technologies to
provide cost-effective medical screening for minor conditions in the
hospital emergency department (ED). In so doing Health Station will
decongest the ED of after-hours non-emergency patients, enable ED staff
to focus on emergencies, reduce non-emergency patient wait-times,
educate patients concerning appropriate ED use, and ultimately reduce
overall ED operation costs. (Collaboration with start-up company that is
developing funding.)
- Georgia Research Alliance Telehealth Program: A collaboration
of three GRA Eminent Scholars to address barriers and potential
solutions regarding the incorporation of Telehealth technologies in the
business of healthcare. Georgia Institute of Technology - wired and
wireless technologies. Georgia State University - systems innovation.
Medical College of Georgia - Telehealth/Telemedicine.
- Mobile Multimedia for Multi-Tasking Physicians: Creates a
network that allows physician to evaluate and monitor pediatric patients
remotely using wireless devices despite bandwidth limitations by
incorporating “region of interest” algorithms to allow the consultant to
focus on important video regions. A collaboration with the Medical
College of Georgia Department of Pediatrics, it enhances patient care
and increases clinician efficiency. Enabling these clinician functions
in a mobile environment will further enhance the model by potentially
extending access to expert service to rural facilities. (Preliminary
work under way; full funding pending.
- Sustainable Model Development for Intergrating Telehealth Technologies into Rural Communities and Rural Healthcare: Defines for the first time clear community issues relevant to Telehealth’s impact on the sustainability of both community healthcare facilities and their host communities so as to stimulate interest in telehealth by rural communities, their business leaders, and their healthcare providers. Thus develops a business plan to initiate and support the use of telehealth tools to address local healthcare needs locally. (Preliminary work under way; full funding pending.)