East Central Indiana School Plugs Into Telehealth Tech
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowNorthview Elementary School in Gas City has become the most recent location for a telehealth clinic through the statewide Indiana Rural School Clinic Network. Mississinewa Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Lezlie Winter says the technology brings Marion General Hospital expertise into the rural school and "levels the playing field" for students and parents who face health care access challenges. The program, which is funded through a grant administered by the Linton-based Indiana Rural Health Association, was launched as a pilot in the Elwood Community School Corp in 2016.
Winter says the program is ripe for expansion in her district and beyond. The technology debuted in the east central Indiana elementary school March 1 and Winter recommends it to other school corporations. "I do believe this is something you’re going to see more school systems go to," she told Inside INdiana Business. "We intend to put this clinic in every one of our school buildings starting in the fall of 2018." Winter says the program cuts through some common issues that prevent students from receiving timely care like transportation or parents’ scheduling limitations. Eventually, she thinks teachers and staff members would even be able to tap into the technology and be more proactive about their health care needs.
The clinic at Northview Elementary includes video-conference capabilities, a digital stethoscope and other diagnostic tools the school’s health care provider can use to help the professional on the other end diagnose the issues. You can connect to more about the Grant County school clinic by clicking here.
Mississinewa Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Lezlie Winter says the program is ripe for expansion.