As published in Wyoming Medicine Fall 2024 - by Spencer Weston, MD
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When you think of Wyoming, technology is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, in today's rapidly advancing world, technology is deeply woven into the fabric of our daily lives, even on the high plains. Its impacts are far-reaching, touching nearly every sector, and Wyoming healthcare is no exception. While the use of technology in urban areas is widely recognized, we often overlook its potential in rural medicine. However, there is a growing community of healthcare professionals in Wyoming who are passionate about practicing medicine in rural areas and harnessing technology's power to bridge the healthcare access gap. The feature article in this issue of Wyoming Medicine explores the ways rural healthcare providers are using technology to increase their connection with patients and amplify the quality of care provided.
Passion for rural medicine
Rural medicine attracts a special breed of healthcare professionals who possess a deep passion for helping underserved communities, especially here in the Cowboy State. Often involving a broader scope of practice, which requires physicians to be versatile, adaptable, and resourceful, rural healthcare attracts doctors who are seeking to make a genuine difference in the lives of small-town patients. Rural medicine may not be for every practitioner, but with the help of technology we can try to ensure that rural healthcare is for all patients in need.
Challenges in rural healthcare
In rural areas, there is no shortage of challenges facing both patients and providers. One of the most significant patient disparities is the limited access to specialized medical care. Rural areas often lack the infrastructure to support comprehensive healthcare services, leading to long travel distances for patients seeking specialized treatment, with the scarcity of primary healthcare providers further exacerbating the issue. Without funding from larger healthcare systems, practices are often under utilizing available advanced technologies. All of these challenges result in limitations on care available to patients, longer wait times and ultimately compromised patient outcomes. Wyoming has an opportunity to use technology to do better by our patients.
The role of technology
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the idea of telemedicine produced a sizable amount of skepticism from both doctors and patients, but during the pandemic its use became regular practice for many, completely revolutionizing healthcare.
Telemedicine allows healthcare providers to remotely diagnose and treat patients, eliminating the need for long-distance travel, proving particularly beneficial in areas where access to specialists is limited. Virtually overnight, many Wyoming patients were receiving expert medical care with the use of video consultations, portable medical devices, and upgraded electronic health records (EHR)s without ever leaving their communities, all while local healthcare providers were able to collaborate and seek guidance from specialists, improving the quality of care provided in even the most rural areas of our state.
Doctors and patients weren’t the only ones excited about the possibilities for increasing healthcare access in rural Wyoming; we also saw a number of community organizations make it their mission to help expand access via tech. Wyoming Frontier Information (WYFI) began providing no-cost, HIPAA- compliant Zoom accounts to any physician practicing in Wyoming and the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) partnered with several libraries on the placement of telehealth booths with computers and remote patient monitoring devicesfor patient use. The Wyoming Medical Society has consistently worked to ensure that our members and their patients have access to these important programs.
Preservation of quality care
The WMS Board of Trustees and Wyoming Leaders in Medicine alumni held a retreat in Saratoga over the summer. During leadership sessions, there were several discussions about the use of telemedicine in individual practices amongst attendees. One of the key takeaways from these conversations was that while technology offers immense potential in rural medicine, it is crucial to find a balance in its use to preserve the human side of care and maintain the quality of care expected by our patients. I’ve practiced medicine in a small town long enough to realize the importance of personal connections with patients, but technology can and should be used as a tool to enhance these connections, rather than replace them. Our patients must still feel valued, heard, and cared for, even in the virtual realm.
Passion for rural medicine and the use of technology are not mutually exclusive concepts. By harnessing the power of technology, its integration in rural healthcare has the potential to completely change Wyoming’s healthcare landscape. By keeping an open mind, staying informed and continuing to try new ways to connect with and monitor our patients, we can change lives for the better and make a lasting impact on the lives of our patients.
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