Arctic telehealth: North to the future

Abstract

Over the past thirty years the delivery of health care services in Alaska has gone from Citizen Ban radio transmissions that were relayed through telephone bridges to one of the largest, state of the art telemedicine systems in the world. This transition has been marked by innovative approaches, learning from others, forged partnerships, open relationships with the telecommunication businesses, and a great deal of funding. This transition has required new approaches to health information, relinquishment of sole ownerships, collaboration, cooperation, and a unified voice. The system is not standalone. There are components that have influenced other endeavors. Health Aids now must be trained to make use of the electronic tools that they have at their remote clinics. Upgraded components for airborne medical evacuations need to match the overall system. Health professionals doing rotations and contracts in Alaska must learn how to interface with the telemedicine system. New administrators are being trained through a Master of Public Health program within the University of Alaska Anchorage that is taught entirely over the “Blackboard” computer-based system for distant delivery. The telehealth systems in Alaska and other Arctic nations are becoming the models to be replicated throughout the world. Excelsior.