University of Tennessee Telemedicine Network Specialty Consultations

The University of Tennessee Medical Center has developed a telemedicine network to link its specialists and subspecialists such as dermatologists, cardiologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and radiologists directly to rural physicians and their patients. This technology uses two-way video and audio communications to electronically transport the patient over telephone lines to a physician at UT Medical Center. Special instruments such as electronic stethoscopes and dermatology cameras assist UT Medical Center physicians in making "diagnoses at a distance."

Telemedicine Benefits:

• Provides services of specialists to regional physicians, enabling the regional physicians to retain control of patient care within their own practice.
• Provides the rural community hospitals greater access to specialty care.
• Enhances continuity of care.
• Increases patient satisfaction by decreased time and travel distance.

Telemedicine's potential is virtually unlimited. UT Medical Center and regional community hospitals are cooperating to access the latest technology for the benefit of East Tennesseans. As telemedicine becomes more common, the region's geographic and economic barriers to health care may one day be erased.