Science fiction, now a reality Telemedicine comes to Rainy River

Ken Johnston

“Kirk to Enterprise. Are you there Dr. McCoy?”
Science fiction has become reality at Rainy River Health Centre with the unveiling of the new Telemedicine station there last Thursday.
Joining more than 100 other stations the two way video conferencing centre allows patients to have appointments with specialists who may be hundreds of miles away without having to travel.
Rainy River Doctor David Singleton spearheaded efforts to get the new service in Rainy River about two years ago. Last July the first components of the equipment were installed and last Thursday it was officially opened at the Rainy River Health Centre.
Using a computer, a television, a video camera with microphone, a special optical scanner, and several other high tech gadgets, the system allows patents to interact via a broadband connection with specialists throughout Ontario and with Winnipeg as well. A digital stethoscope and a high resolution digital camera can allow the specialist at the other end to listen to a patient’s heart or examine their skin or other problems in detail from afar.
The special optical scanner allows for patients’ x-rays to be beamed over to the specialist for examination. While the technology to send digital x-rays right from the x-ray camera exists, it is still too costly to have such a machine in Rainy River. However, the telemedicine device works just as good.
Nurse Practioner Nicole Therrien and Nurse Manager Tammy McNally have both received training to assist patients in using the service in Rainy River. So far two patients have done so and both sang praises about it.
“They like the fact that they do not have to travel to Winnipeg or Thunder Bay for a five minute consultation,” said Therrien. This scenario is especially nice for patients who are in a great deal of pain and find the long trips taxing on their health.
Therrien said that patients in cancer treatment who need to follow up with their specialist on their pain management medications can do so over the network and save themselves a long trip.
In addition to seeing medical patients, the system which is open for access by all health related fields, people needing to see specialists such as psychiatrists, who are not available in this area can also do so.
Another really nice feature will help with improving the skills of local doctors and other health professionals. Training or educational seminars can now be taken via the network without an often previously quite difficult process. “I used to have to find a locum and book time off to get training,” said Dr. Singleton. Now he only needs to book a few hours off and not have to leave town or find a locum to fill in for him to do so. “I have already taken some and really like it.”
The Rainy River Palliative Care Volunteers group has also utilized the system for training three times.
Singleton noted that many training sessions are archive and can be accessed over the network and some are live.
While the new system is not mandatory for patients, those who choose to access it may find it more convenient. Patients are encouraged to ask their doctor about it. If appropriate the doctor will then write a referral and usually within a two week period will have the telemedicine session set up.
The system first came into use in 1998 after a 1995 feasibility study saw great benefits of linking northern communities via the linkup to major health care centres. With strong support of the Ontario government the system has quickly grown to over 100 members and is considered to be one of the best in Canada.
In addition to the above uses it also features a 24/7 emergency telestroke initiative, an electrical burn consult service and a prison care service for two provincial correctional centres.