In general terms, telemedicine gives physicians and health care specialists the means to diagnose and treat patients over distances whether across town, across the state, or across the country. While preventing delays in much needed care, it brings specialized care to parts of Alaska that might never have seen it onsite due to lack of resources. Telemedicine is being practiced in rural Alaska such as in the Kotzebue region (through the Maniilaq Association) and in Southeast Alaska (through SEARHC) to name a few of our active partners. It is also practiced in schools, home-health settings, nursing homes, cruise ships, and on NASA space missions. The types of applications are almost as numerous as you would find in person health care.

The links on the Telehealth webpage will offer more insight on the many technological, financial, political, human resource, legal, and medical challenges which must be effectively addressed by telemedicine developers in Alaska and around the country. Suffice it to say, telemedicine is designed to increase access to care for more isolated health facilities and their service population.