The FCC gathered a diverse panel of health IT experts to share their views on how to best deploy broadband networks to support telemedicine today and in the future.  The demand for bandwidth was reiterated throughout the workshop, beginning with first panelist, Internet2

CEO Douglas Van Houweling, who emphasized the importance of bandwidth to providing reliable, timely patient care.

Examples of health IT referenced by panelists went beyond traditional doctor-patient telemedicine applications.  Students are now able to better learn medical procedures by watching via video. Van Houweling even noted that students watching via telepresence had a better view than those actually in the room.  Health IT applications also can allow family members to participate in doctors appointments from remote locations, providing support and comfort to their loved one.  Dr. Karen Rheuban, President of the American Telemedicine Association, urged the FCC to consider the positive impact health IT could have in academic, military and other communities, in addition to health clinics.

U.S. CTO Aneesh Chopra also joined the panel, offering a high-level view of how his office is working to grow health IT.  Chopra said he wants to remove policy barriers that are impeding use of these innovations.  He said he is working with other federal agencies to help process FDA approvals faster, improve payment systems, and support additional investments in innovation.

While transitioning to connected care requires investment—in both equipment and bandwidth—panelists were optimistic, calling on the FCC to consider the costs of delaying the use of these tools as well as the substantial future cost-savings (not to mention healthier lives) that broadband can help deliver to American health care.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.