Telehealth in the state of Alaska has become an extremely useful tool. With so many living off-grid or in small villages without physician-level medical support, having telehealth gives patients a resource they have never had before. Services have been brought to many rural regions through the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and the Alaska Federal Health Care Access Network (AFHCAN). The elder population of Alaska is one of the most vulnerable. Discharging them home to their village is costly for both the family and the organization if not done correctly. Patients going home may have to take a flight by commercial and by small village plane transport just to get there. It is essential to have everything in place so that once discharged; the patient has a way to communicate with healthcare and the things they need to stay healthy. These extended travel periods are stressful, and the elder population is at high risk without that issue. One of the most valuable devices will be the AFHCAN network telehealth system with over 253 locations. The patient will be able to go to the village clinic and receive a complete medical exam with the health aide’s assistance. The system supports video-assisted devices such as the otoscope. Vital signs and ECG tracings are seen in real-time by the provider. The physician is able to listen to the lungs and abdomen through the device stethoscope. (Hudson, n.d.) The patient can receive a thorough exam with a qualified provider through this device. Over the last two years, we have seen a significant uptake in the use of telemedicine. This has given the elder population and those who have little access to healthcare a useful and necessary option. Studies have concluded that both patients and providers have positive reviews on the use and found it very effective. This is most significantly seen in those with chronic illness where transport is difficult. (Jordan et al., 2021)
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