Application of a Telecolposcopy Program in Rural Settings
Wilbur C Hitt1, Gordon M Low1, Christian E Lynch1
11 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock, Arkansas.
Summary
Telecolposcopy improves access to cervical cancer screening for rural women, reducing travel time and costs. This innovative approach enhances patient outcomes in underserved areas.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Telemedicine
- Gynecologic Oncology
Background:
- Rural populations face limited physician availability, restricting healthcare access.
- Despite increased Pap smear screening, the rural South has high cervical cancer rates.
- Telecolposcopy offers a solution to improve cervical cancer outcomes in rural settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and patient accessibility of a telecolposcopy program in rural Arkansas.
- To assess the impact of telecolposcopy on patient travel time and transportation costs.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based telecolposcopy program was implemented for women with abnormal Pap results or visual examinations.
- Data collected included patient travel time, transportation costs, risk factors, and Pap results.
- The program served 940 unique patients across 72 counties over 15 months.
Main Results:
- Telecolposcopy provided statewide coverage, with high patient willingness to participate.
- The program significantly reduced travel time and associated costs for patients.
- Data on risk factors like smoking and sexual history were collected and analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Telecolposcopy is a sustainable and effective method for increasing access to cervical cancer evaluation in rural areas.
- The program demonstrated reduced patient expenses and improved healthcare accessibility.
- Further exploration and utilization of telecolposcopy are recommended for rural cervical cancer management.
More Related Videos
06:28E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
9.3K
09:55Bridging the Technology Divide in the COVID-19 Era: Using Virtual Outreach to Expose Middle and High School Students to Imaging Technology
Published on: September 28, 2022
2.3K
Related Concept Videos
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
1000
Sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy are distinct medical procedures that enable physicians to internally inspect different parts of the GI tract. Although they serve different purposes, each is essential for diagnosing and, in some cases, treating various medical conditions.
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
1000
01:28Endoscopic Procedures III: Video Capsule Endoscopy
1.2K
Capsule endoscopy, or wireless or video capsule endoscopy, is a diagnostic procedure for examining the entire gastrointestinal tract. Patients swallow a capsule about the size of a vitamin tablet. The capsule is equipped with a transmitter, a battery, an LED light source, and a color video camera to capture images throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This procedure is particularly useful for diagnosing conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, tumors, polyps, ulcers,...
1.2K
01:25Endoscopic Procedures II: Colonoscopy
1.1K
The colon, or large intestine, is the final segment of the digestive system. Its primary functions include absorbing water and vitamins produced by gut bacteria and transforming waste from liquid to solid to form stool. In adults, the large intestine is approximately 5 feet long and consists of four main sections:
1.1K
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
2.6K
Primary care promotes wellness and prevents disease. This care includes health promotion, education, protection (such as immunizations), early disease screening, and environmental considerations. Settings providing this type of healthcare include physician offices, public health clinics, school nursing, and community health nursing.
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
2.6K
01:26Endoscopic Procedures V: ERCP
5.3K
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a diagnostic procedure that combines endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat conditions related to the bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, and gallbladder. This procedure is beneficial for identifying and addressing blockages, gallstones, strictures, and tumors within the biliary or pancreatic systems. ERCP is both diagnostic and therapeutic, offering the ability to visualize and treat identified problems in one session.
Patient...
Patient...
5.3K
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
1.9K
Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
1.9K