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- Title
Access to Specialty Services: Opportunities for Expansion of Telemedicine to Support Correctional Health Care in Colorado.
- Authors
Krsak, Martin; Jeffers, Alexiss; Shah, Jagruti; Johnson, Steven C.; Montague, Brian T.
- Abstract
Introduction:The United States has the largest correctional population in the world and many inmates lack access to timely health care. Studies have shown that telemedicine could improve the situation in a practical and cost-effective fashion. We aimed to evaluate currently established services as well as any potential need for expansion of telemedicine within correctional settings in Colorado. Methods:We designed a prospective survey-based pilot study using mixed methods research techniques. Results:Colorado has 50 county jails, 19 prisons, and 3 private prison facilities. Of these, 46 correctional facilities (45 jails and the state prison) were contacted. Twenty responded (19 jails and the prison) representing 43.5% response rate. Only 10% did not have on-site health care providers available at all, 31.6% were already using telemedicine for some of their needs, 52.9% were "very interested," 5.9% "somewhat interested," 17.6% "not so interested," and 23.5% were "not at all interested" in further information regarding telemedicine services. Discussion:Our study as well as current literature suggest that telemedicine could serve to fill in certain gaps of care within correctional populations, especially for over-represented conditions (i.e., chronic infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis C virus, substance use disorders, or mental health disorders). Conclusions:There is enthusiasm but also certain amount of skepticism among Colorado's jail administrators with respect to the implementation, or even the cost-effectiveness potential of telemedicine. Telemedicine in these settings may require individualized approach and enough creative flexibility to allow for nimble adjustments based on the constraints and needs of individual institutions.
- Subjects
COLORADO; MEDICAL telematics; TELEMEDICINE; MEDICAL personnel; MEDICAL care; HEPATITIS C virus; HEALTH services accessibility; SUBSTANCE-induced disorders
- Publication
Telemedicine & e-Health, 2020, Vol 26, Issue 6, p776
- ISSN
1530-5627
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1089/tmj.2019.0130