The State of TeleMedicine and TeleHealth in Texas

The State of TeleMedicine and TeleHealth in Texas

A Special Report of the Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council and Recommendations for Ensuring a

Strong Telemedicine/Telehealth System in Texas

Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council

A Collaborative Effort With the Texas State Telemedicine/Telehealth Workgroup

Statement of the Chairman

In the 2001-2002 Texas State Health Plan Update, the Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) briefly examined the potential impact of telemedicine and telehealth (TMTH) in addressing the maldistribution of health professionals and improving access to health care in medically underserved areas in Texas. However, on November 9, 2000, at the request of numerous stakeholders from within the TMTH community, the SHCC convened the first of four TMTH stakeholder workgroup meetings to discuss the current efforts and future opportunities for collaboration on TMTH.

Fourteen months, numerous meetings, and thousands of work hours later, the SHCC presents the final product of this process. The State of Telemedicine and Telehealth in Texas: A Special Report of the Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council and Recommendations for Ensuring a Strong Telemedicine/Telehealth System in Texas represents the combined efforts of over 100 experts and stakeholders in the field of TMTH.

The SHCC has reviewed the work of this group and believes that the resulting report and its recommendations provide an important first step in improving the health of all Texans through the rapidly expanding, ever evolving TMTH technologies. Additionally, the SHCC believes that the report will provide a sound basis for state policy makers as they approach future decisions.

The SHCC recognizes that these expanding technologies offer new portals for access to and delivery of medical care and provide powerful tools for health care professionals. However, the SHCC would emphasize that the technology provides a tool to enhance the care delivered to patients, rather than being an end in itself. Without a quality health care workforce in place, especially in urban and rural medically underserved areas, all the potential benefits of advanced technology will be for naught. Access to quality health care providers must remain the primary focus of health workforce planners and decision makers.

The SHCC would like to recognize and express sincere appreciation for the hard work and commitment that each member of the TMTH workgroup brought to this project. Their service was invaluable.

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Next, I would personally like to thank each of the members of the SHCC TMTH Committee, who remained dedicated and diligent throughout the lengthy process. Without their hard work, this special report would not be a reality.

And finally, we want to give special recognition to the staff from the Texas Department of Health, Office of Strategic Health Planning. These individuals remained committed and enthusiastic throughout the project and we sincerely appreciate their contribution.

The SHCC looks forward to working with the Legislature and with state and community leaders to ensure a quality of health care for all Texans. We believe that Texas is on the right track in preparing our state and its people for a future in which every individual is informed, is productive, and enjoys equal and full access to quality health care and optimal health status.

______________________ Ben G. Raimer, M.D., Chairman Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council

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The State of Telemedicine and Telehealth in Texas

STATEWIDE HEALTH COORDINATING COUNCIL

A VISION

We envision a Texas in which all are able to achieve their maximum health potential - A Texas in which: * Prevention and education are the primary

approaches for achieving optimal health. * All have equal access to quality health care. * Local communities are empowered to plan and

direct interventions that have the greatest impact on the health of all. * We, and future generations, are healthy, productive and able to make informed decisions.

A Healthy Texas is a Productive Texas

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The State of Telemedicine and Telehealth in Texas

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