The Catalyst Issue 24 | May 2016 | Page 4

Connected PATIENT CARE Telemedicine enables virtual house calls, robotic assistance at a hospital bedside, and other innovative services to help meet patients’ healthcare needs ost people are aware of the ways technology has influenced our culture, including how we work, play, and communicate. More rapidly than ever, digital-age technology is shifting the way we deliver healthcare. It is helping to bridge the gap between patients and available healthcare expertise while reducing costs, safeguarding patients’ privacy, and increasing patient convenience. Simply defined, telemedicine is M 4 THE CATALYST May 16 | sw.org the exchange of medical information via electronic communications to help improve a patient’s health. While there’s no substitute for the in-person interaction patients share with their caregivers, telemedicine plays a valuable role in enhancing patient health management. As part of its longterm priorities, Baylor Scott & White Health - Central Texas is harnessing the power of technology through telemedicine because of the tremendous opportunity it offers. Telemedicine allows us to leverage our strength by offering expertise and delivering more personalized care in ways convenient to patients throughout Central Texas. It also helps us reach rural and remote areas where physicians may be a long drive away. Glen Couchman, MD, chief medical officer for Baylor Scott & White Health - Central Texas, says, “We know we can provide good sw.org | May 16 THE CATALYST 5