Pacific Island Health Care Project: early experiences with a Web-based consultation and referral network

Area of Science:

• Telemedicine
• Health Informatics
• Pacific Island Health

Background:

• The Pacific Island Health Care Project (PIHCP) previously offered definitive care at Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC).
• High costs and limited access necessitated innovative healthcare delivery solutions for remote Pacific Basin regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a web-based network for cost containment and improved access to consultative and referral services.
• To leverage the internet for efficient store-and-forward medical consultations.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a web-based network connecting four Western Pacific sites to TAMC.
• Equipping sites with computers and digital imaging devices (cameras, scanners).
• Utilizing a secure web server for submitting, triaging, and commenting on consultations with imagery.

Main Results:

• Over 180 electronic consultations submitted from island nations by September 1998.
• Demonstrated feasibility of using the internet as an inexpensive store-and-forward consultation method.
• Significant cost savings in the tens of thousands of dollars achieved.

Conclusions:

• The established web-based network successfully enhanced healthcare delivery in the Pacific Basin.
• Electronic consultations via the internet proved to be a cost-effective and accessible solution.
• The project fostered enthusiasm among participants and secured consistent funding.