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Using Technology for Telemedicine Programs

The WATCH Project, led by Juliellen Simpson-Vos, M.Ed., and Joshua J. Alexander, MD at UNC Chapel Hill, offers an innovative internet-based telehealth program for young children with disabilities. It aims to enhance care through videoconferencing, reducing travel burdens and fostering collaboration among providers. By connecting service locations and professionals, the project promotes professional development and better communication between parents and specialists. Despite challenges in technology and participation, the WATCH Project continues to evolve and seeks to improve care delivery for children with special needs.

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Using Technology for Telemedicine Programs

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  1. Using Technology for Telemedicine Programs The WATCH Project Juliellen Simpson-Vos, M.Ed, Joshua J. Alexander, MD The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

  2. TelAbility(http://www.telability.org) An Internet-Based Telehealth Program For Young Children with Disabilities

  3. WATCH Wake Area Telehealth Collaborative Helping Children with special needs

  4. Inclusive Child Care Centers • Tammy Lynn Center • White Plains Children’s Center • Learning Together • Carolina Child Development Center • UCP/Charlie Gaddy Center • Lucy Daniels Center • Project Enlightenment

  5. Residential Care • Hilltop Home • Tammy Lynn Center

  6. Service Programs • Community Partnerships for Children • Learning Together • Easter Seals UCP- Children’s Therapy Services • Project Enlightenment • Lucy Daniels Center

  7. The Raleigh Children’s Developmental Services Agency (ages birth-3) Wake County Preschool Services (ages 3-5) State Agencies

  8. Current Programming Website Content /Expertise Directory List serv Newsletters Videoconferencing

  9. BuildingaCommunityof Practice “A group of people who share a concern, set of problems, or passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interaction on an ongoing basis.”

  10. Expertise Directory • 2005 = 60 • 2007 = 280

  11. Expertise Directory • Handouts • Links • Calendar • Books • Articles • Videos • More!

  12. 2005= 29 2007= 237 WATCH@listserv.unc.edu

  13. Electronic Newsletter Subscribers= 400+ • Website Updates • Event Listings • Center Descriptions • Article Reviews • Tips and Topics • Project Updates

  14. Videoconferencing

  15. Video Conference Usage Statistics

  16. In total, over the past 16 months of the WATCH Project: • 679 people have participated in videoconference sessions • The average satisfaction rating for video conference sessions is 4.4 (out of 5) • The average comfort level for video conference sessions is 4.6 (out of 5)

  17. WATCH Benefits for Providers • Responsive to their needs and interests • Provides increased professional development and education opportunities • Offers opportunities for increased collaboration with other locations and professionals • Allows sites to establish mentoring relationships with other therapists or teachers • WATCH sites can schedule clinic or consultation time via the video conference unit • Evaluations/assessments/meetings can be held between parents, therapists, CDSA staff • Reduces travel time and costs

  18. WATCH Benefits for Parents • The ability to schedule video clinic or consultation time with a MD, therapist, or specialist who has access to a video conference unit. • The opportunity to schedule meetings, evaluations, or assessments with teachers, therapists, CDSA Child Service Coordinators, or other administrators or specialists who have access to a video conference unit. (ex. IFSP update meetings, questions, etc) • Reduces travel time and costs. Eliminates the need to find parking, wait in waiting rooms, and navigate hospitals or service agencies. • Increased collaboration and communication with everyone involved in the child’s care. • Increased learning opportunities for parents and teachers.

  19. Challenges • Lack of technical knowledge and support at sites • Sustainable funds to cover the costs of high speed internet connection to operate units at each site • Hosting large multipoint video conference sessions • Buy in/consistent participation from all sites • Establishing a public network/technical support issues

  20. Lessons Learned • Need for consistent, knowledgable, easily accessible IT support person • Public network system has been unreliable. • A border controller may help reduce the current unpredictability of our exisiting system. • Specified project director position is necessary to coordinate communication and activities within the project and be point person for IT problems • Needs assessments of each site and frequent communication with WATCH Members has allowed our project to take an organic and responsive approach • The WATCH network is made up of sites with specific expertise to help meet the collective needs of the members • Professional development and small group case study discussions have been of great interest, have proven very successful and have been well attended • Despite the convenience, it’s still hard to convince therapist to conduct consults and clinics via videoconference even when providing monetary reimbursement

  21. Future Goals

  22. End-user Locations

  23. Questions? Juliellen Simpson-Vos, M.Ed jsimpvos@med.unc.edu Joshua J. Alexander, MD joshua_alexander @med.unc.edu TelAbility/WATCH 1101 Weaver Dairy Road Suite 202 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 http://www.telability.org

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