Using Technology for Telemedicine Programs The WATCH Project

Using Technology for Telemedicine Programs The WATCH Project Juliellen Simpson-Vos, M. Ed, Joshua J. Alexander, MD The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Tel. Ability (http: //www. telability. org) An Internet-Based Telehealth Program For Young Children with Disabilities

WATCH Wake Area Telehealth Collaborative Helping Children with special needs

Inclusive Child Care Centers n n n n Tammy Lynn Center White Plains Children’s Center Learning Together Carolina Child Development Center UCP/Charlie Gaddy Center Lucy Daniels Center Project Enlightenment

Residential Care n Hilltop Home n Tammy Lynn Center

Service Programs n Community Partnerships for Children n Learning Together n Easter Seals UCP- Children’s Therapy Services n Project Enlightenment n Lucy Daniels Center

State Agencies n The Raleigh Children’s Developmental Services Agency (ages birth-3) n Wake County Preschool Services (ages 3 -5)

Current Programming Website Content /Expertise Directory List serv Newsletters Videoconferencing

Building a Community of Practice “A group of people who share a concern, set of problems, or passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interaction on an ongoing basis. ”

Expertise Directory n 2005 = 60 n 2007 = 280

n n n n Expertise Directory Handouts Links Calendar Books Articles Videos More!

WATCH@listserv. unc. edu n 2005= 29 n 2007= 237

Electronic Newsletter Subscribers= 400+ n n n Website Updates Event Listings Center Descriptions Article Reviews Tips and Topics Project Updates

Videoconferencing

Video Conference Usage Statistics

In total, over the past 16 months of the WATCH Project: n n n 679 people have participated in videoconference sessions The average satisfaction rating for video conference sessions is 4. 4 (out of 5) The average comfort level for video conference sessions is 4. 6 (out of 5)

WATCH Benefits for Providers n n n n Responsive to their needs and interests Provides increased professional development and education opportunities Offers opportunities for increased collaboration with other locations and professionals Allows sites to establish mentoring relationships with otherapists or teachers WATCH sites can schedule clinic or consultation time via the video conference unit Evaluations/assessments/meetings can be held between parents, therapists, CDSA staff Reduces travel time and costs

WATCH Benefits for Parents n The ability to schedule video clinic or consultation time with a MD, therapist, or specialist who has access to a video conference unit. n The opportunity to schedule meetings, evaluations, or assessments with teachers, therapists, CDSA Child Service Coordinators, or other administrators or specialists who have access to a video conference unit. (ex. IFSP update meetings, questions, etc) n Reduces travel time and costs. Eliminates the need to find parking, wait in waiting rooms, and navigate hospitals or service agencies. n Increased collaboration and communication with everyone involved in the child’s care. n Increased learning opportunities for parents and teachers.

Challenges n n n Lack of technical knowledge and support at sites Sustainable funds to cover the costs of high speed internet connection to operate units at each site Hosting large multipoint video conference sessions Buy in/consistent participation from all sites Establishing a public network/technical support issues

Lessons Learned n n n n Need for consistent, knowledgable, easily accessible IT support person Public network system has been unreliable. A border controller may help reduce the current unpredictability of our exisiting system. Specified project director position is necessary to coordinate communication and activities within the project and be point person for IT problems Needs assessments of each site and frequent communication with WATCH Members has allowed our project to take an organic and responsive approach The WATCH network is made up of sites with specific expertise to help meet the collective needs of the members Professional development and small group case study discussions have been of great interest, have proven very successful and have been well attended Despite the convenience, it’s still hard to convince therapist to conduct consults and clinics via videoconference even when providing monetary reimbursement

Future Goals

End-user Locations

Questions? Juliellen Simpson-Vos, M. Ed jsimpvos@med. unc. edu Joshua J. Alexander, MD joshua_alexander @med. unc. edu Tel. Ability/WATCH 1101 Weaver Dairy Road Suite 202 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 http: //www. telability. org