2022 U.S. Affiliated Pacific Island Countries & Territories Telehealth Workshop
2022 USAPICT Telehealth Workshop
After more than 2 years of travel limitation, representatives of U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands public hospitals and health agencies, technical and subject matter experts, and resource organizations gathered at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, to discuss and identify short- and long-term goals to improve health care services to their communities through the use of telehealth.
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Pam Fujii, fondly known as "Aunty Pam'', presents a neck lei to Dr. Eminoni from American Samoa DOH. A significant gesture as this is a cultural practice to welcome guests in Hawai'i as well as other Pacific islands.
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On the first day of the workshop, participants provided a briefing on their jurisdiction’s healthcare environment including some of the needs and challenges, telehealth initiatives, and other healthcare and telehealth-related updates. This was a great way to start the 3-day workshop of sharing and learning from each other!
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On Day 2, Dr. Jennifer Mbuthia presents the cart mock-up station demonstration. These mobile carts are outfitted with a laptop and various plug-and-play peripheral devices including the JEDMED Horus Scope. Initially, the carts were intended for the military to assist smaller primary care clinics with no specialists in facilitating asynchronous exams with tertiary care specialists.
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Participants test out the innovative phone peripherals for remote patient care. Dr. Myra Adelbai-Fraser from Palau is seen here taking Chuuk Community Health Center CEO Inou Shomour's temperature using the Nonagon during the hands-on workshop at the UH Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing.
On Day 3, Dr. Chris Hair presented on the Australian & New Zealand Gastroenterology International Training Association (ANZGITA). Several of the physicians who were part of developing the Pacific GUT Club shared their experiences. Physicians who attend the sessions including Dr. Payne Perman, Dr. Tholman Alik, and Dr. Myra Adelbai-Fraser (pictured here) shared how valuable the program is. The Pacific GUT Club convenes each month to help advise one another with complex clients.
Each jurisdiction wrote down the needs and challenges within their territories. Working together in their teams, they identified what each jurisdiction needs to improve telehealth services throughout their communities.
After identifying the needs and challenges of their jurisdictions, participants select 3 priority items each. For Palau, overcoming the challenge of telehealth coordination by learning ways to build local workforce capacity and expand services in rural areas is a key priority.