Case study: the Interact home telehealth project

Abstract

Two home telehealth technologies (the Intel Health Guide and the Apple iPad) were trialled by four clinical services of the Hunter New England Local Health District. The iPad was selected by the Paediatric Palliative Care Service, the Stroke Service and the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service. The Intel Health Guide was selected by the Cardiac Coaching Service. The telehealth devices were loaned to a total of 102 patients for different lengths of time, depending on clinical needs, but typically for about 3 months. A total of 42 clinicians were involved. During the trial, 16 technical problems were recorded and resolved, most concerning problems with connectivity. Nonetheless, the use of home telehealth technologies was positively received by clinicians, management and patients alike. Telehealth is now being integrated into the standard practices of the health district.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Chronic Disease Management for Regional and Rural Communities - Hunter New England. See http://www.dbcde.gov.au/funding_and_programs/digital_regions_initiative/chronic_disease_management_for_regional_and_rural_communities_hunter_new_england (last checked 14 August 2013).

Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Regional Profile 2007-2011. See http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/nrpmaps.nsf/NEW+GmapPages/national+regional+profile (last checked 14 August 2013).

Hunter New England. HNE Health Telehealth Clinical Strategy 2010-2014. Available from Hunter New England Area Health Service.

Airwatch. Enterprise Mobility Management. See http://www.air-watch.com/solutions (last checked 14 August 2013).

Mobicip. Mobile Web Filter for iPad. See http://www.mobicip.com/online_safety/ipad (last checked 17 August 2013).