In the early '90s, Texas Tech saw telemedicine as a way to reduce costs and improve healthcare in fulfilling its contract with the State of Texas to provide health care for some 34,000 prison inmates in the western half of the state. And its future looks promising, he said. One in the forefront is in geriatric care. In the case of non-ambulatory patients, such as those in nursing homes, specialty care is available without moving the patient from the home. While the technology exits, getting it into the communities that need it still remains a challenge, McBeath said.
Cost is one of the main inhibitors of implementing it.
But, Provost said, communities are going to have to help in order for the program to work. We don't want to replace the medical care they have, we want to enhance it. The future for telemedicine and Texas Tech's involvement points to an evolution of technological advancements and operations. There will come a time when it will be as routine as making a phone call. I see that as an asset.