Telehealth

Many Nevadans who are aging experience periods of isolation due to things like living alone, enduring the death of family or friends, and having limited mobility. Now with Nevada's stay-at-home order, experts on aging say these issues may be exacerbated — not to mention the heightened danger that this population faces with COVID-19.

Coverage of novel coronavirus is supported by the Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science, a science reporting project from the Reynolds School of Journalism.

As the novel coronavirus threatens health care capacity in Nevada, more doctors are turning to telehealth to stem the spread of infection. While virtual visits are recommended, there are challenges to this type of care, especially in rural communities.

Renown Health is expanding its video health consultation network to four rural hospitals in Nevada.

Reno Public Radio’s Noah Glick reports.

The videoconferencing service, known as telehealth, allows doctors in Reno to connect with patients in rural areas who may not have access to specialty services, like neurology or pediatrics.

Kirk Gillis is the vice president for accountable care with Renown, and he says the need for specialty care in rural areas is critical.

 Yesterday, KUNR reported on the massive expansion of telehealth in Nevada. Some healthcare officials think this change will be more burdensome on a doctor’s routine, especially when they’re already spread thin. Reno Public Radio’s Esther Ciammachilli spoke to Carol Meyer, an APRN at a Renown family practice clinic in Fernley, through the teleheatlh network to see how this impacts her day-to-day practice. And don’t be alarmed by the laughter you hear in the background, it’s just Renown’s telehealth team who joined in on the session. 

A new law in Nevada is expanding the use of telemedicine, which relies on virtual technology to connect doctors and patients. This makes Nevada the most advanced state in the country for telehealth implementation. But as Reno Public Radio’s Esther Ciammachilli explains, there's debate over whether this will help some of Nevada’s biggest healthcare issues, like its severe doctor shortage.