Keewaytinook Okimakanak

Developing Telehealth Initiatives in First Nations

http://health.knet.ca/telehealth Orpah McKenzie, KO Health Director [email protected]

First Nations Connect Conference February 11-14, 2001 - Thunder Bay, ON

ISSUES EXPRESSED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Community Consultation Report, 2000 (http://health.knet.ca/telehealth/docs/KO-telehealth-consult.htm) The overall reaction to local telehealth access was positive but common concerns were expressed during the consultation: • physical location of the telemedicine suite and the integration with existing services • the introduction of telemedicine services (levels, timeframes) • privacy and security (i.e. how user confidentiality would be respected) • possibility of fewer CHNs and/or physicians in the communities • effect on local health transportation services • local coordination and staffing (distribution of work and training) • sustainability

TELEPSYCHIATRY PILOT PROJECT 1999 - 2001

(http://health.knet.ca/telepsychiatry.html)

Project Goals:

• Maximize access to professional services for isolated communities through the use of videoconferencing • Minimize the disruption to clients • Utilize and enhance the capabilities and skills of community support persons in terms of overall care of clients • Determine whether this method of mental health intervention is less expensive than the traditional face-to-face process

Project Planning

(Chief, Council, local Health staff, staff at Keewaytinook Okimakanak, project coordinator and psychiatrist) • community orientation • community education and awareness • determining effective structures, procedures and protocols • screening clients for appropriateness of the tele psychiatric consult medium • organizing and implementing the video consultations • evaluation of acceptance by the clients

LESSONS LEARNED

(from the telepsychiatry pilot project - fall 2000)  Telehealth takes TIME-requires planning, teamwork  Telehealth takes new money for equipment and staffing  Telehealth involves CHANGE- way of doing business  Need to negotiate with technology providers!

 Support from other health professionals will take time.  Control of program and applications belongs with the community  Appropriate training, facilities and support systems must be available for the workers and the clients  Telehealth cannot be used to replace, but rather to enhance existing services  Partnerships at all levels are required (effective communication systems must be in place)

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Next Steps

Electronic Patient Medical Records

– proposed project for records to move with patient electronically

KO Health Centre (a modern “Smart” Facility)

– coordinated physician, nurse, hostel, administration services

Developing and Supporting First Nation “Smart” Health Facilities and Services

– new Nursing Station in Poplar Hill, up grade of Health Services in North Spirit Lake and Keewaywin to full Nursing station status – full time nursing services in each First Nation – children-centred programs (Head Start), home care services with call centre support, diabetes education and support programs

On-line Health Education and Training programs for First Nation staff and professional development