The Auburn University Rural Health Initiative has taken significant strides in improving healthcare access for underserved populations in Alabama, especially in the Black Belt region. One of the cornerstone innovations of this effort is the integration of OnMed Telehealth Stations—state-of-the-art, self-contained healthcare stations that offer virtual consultations with licensed medical professionals. These stations, alongside mobile telehealth carts, are revolutionizing healthcare access by providing convenient, remote consultations for individuals in areas with limited access to primary care.
As of September 2024, five OnMed stations are operational across 5 counties in Alabama, with 733 patient consults completed in just the first nine months of the year. These stations address a range of healthcare needs, with the most common conditions treated being respiratory issues and hypertension. The stations have seen an 81% rate of visits resulting in prescriptions, indicating their critical role in providing effective care. In fact, 99% of patients report that their health needs were met well or very well, underscoring the success of the initiative in improving patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
See complete healthcare access update here.
|