The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Center for Distance Health has been designated as one of four new regional telemedicine centers in the nation, serving Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, officials announced Wednesday.
The South Central Training Resource Center is funded for three years with $979,416 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant was awarded to the UAMS Center for Distance Health, which will establish and operate the regional training resource center.
Telehealth, also referred to as telemedicine, refers to the use of high-speed, two-way interactive video that connects doctors and patients from distant locations.
The UAMS-based resource center will provide technical assistance and training for health care organizations, networks and providers in developing cost-effective telehealth programs serving rural and medically underserved areas in all three states, officials said.
UAMS’ statewide telemedicine network connects 38 hospitals and clinics and has had more than 7,500 doctor-patient encounters to date.
UAMS joins the Georgia Partnership for Telehealth, the University of Hawaii and the University of Kansas among the new recipients of the award.
SW Times