UNC Lineberger is using telehealth technology to connect with patients and physicians across the state. Through the UNC Cancer Network, physicians are sharing cutting-edge research and specific expertise with one another, while patients are able to benefit from integrated “tumor boards,” where a team of doctors collaborate on reviewing a particular patient’s case.
Hospitals across the country are increasingly using telehealth to enhance patient access to care, connect with other physicians to share best practices and lower health care costs. In fact, over 52 percent of hospitals used telehealth in 2013, and another 10 percent were beginning the implementation process, according to the American Hospital Association.
Through the UNC Cancer Network, UNC Lineberger connects health care providers across North Carolina in real time to discuss best practices for patient care, cutting edge research, and continuing medical education for healthcare professionals.
Patients from across North Carolina can receive guidance and expertise from UNC oncologists and participate in groundbreaking clinical trials, all without leaving the comforts of their hometown.
“It is a great benefit to consult and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of caregivers at UNC on my cases without having to travel to Chapel Hill every other week,” said Dr. Krystal Bottom, pediatric oncologist at Mission Children’s Hospital in Asheville, NC.
Dr. Bottom regularly participates in what is known as a virtual “tumor board” – an in-depth review of a particular patient’s case with a team of doctors from UNC and from the community where the patient lives.
The UNC Lineberger telehealth program also provides regular remote educational lectures, targeting medical professionals as well as patients and caregivers.
The program’s bi-monthly continuing education series reaches physicians, nurses and allied health professionals across North Carolina through live, interactive medical and nursing lectures delivered by UNC faculty. This lecture series allows practitioners to access timely, evidence-based oncology therapeutic updates from the convenience of their own practice – and earn continuing education credits.
The community lecture series are delivered monthly through telehealth technology to cancer centers across the state on topics such as the importance of a healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management, smoking cessation and therapy management.
And much of this effort is supported by the University Cancer Research Fund (UCRF).
“UCRF has also been critical in the launch and success of our telehealth program,” said Tom Shea, MD, director of the UNC Cancer Network. “Using the infrastructure supported by UCRF funds, we connect with health care providers across North Carolina.”
UNC physicians are also sharing advanced techniques and best practices via telemedicine with other medical professionals across the state and U.S.
Dr. Todd Baron, director of advanced therapeutic endoscopy at UNC, is a nationally-known advanced endoscopist who joined UNC in 2014 after spending 15 years at the Mayo Clinic. Using the latest in telemedicine technology with the capability to record and transmit live procedures in real time, Dr. Baron is sharing his advanced techniques with thousands of physicians and surgeons throughout the state, U.S. and around the globe.
The ability for Dr. Baron to share his techniques remotely is made possible through the generous financial support of private donors like Ron Elliott and Mark Tamagni.
In January of 2011, Ron was diagnosed with a growth in his small intestine, that, if left untreated, would become cancerous and spreadthroughout his abdomen. Ron’s search for care led him to the Mayo Clinic, where he received his first good news from Dr. Baron, who proposed an innovative and complex endoscopic technique. Nine months and two procedures later, the growth was successfully removed. A few months later, Dr. Baron was recruited to join UNC Hospitals.
Driven by their gratitude towards Dr. Baron and their commitment to help share his treatment options with others around the world, Ron and Mark provided a generous gift to support Dr. Baron’s endoscopic telemedicine program. Reflecting on the gift, Ron stated, “We feel that Dr. Baron has a wealth of important knowledge that can be shared with physicians around the world. Dr. Baron’s expert techniques can literally save lives, and that’s incredibly important to us.”
Thanks to both the UCRF and private funds alike, patients have the ability to benefit from UNC’s leading-edge, research-driven clinical care while remaining close to home with their community oncologist – and their friends and family.