[AusNOG] Gillard promises video doctors with NBN

[Narelle]

On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 3:32 PM, Grahame Lynch <
grahamelynch at commsdaymail.com> wrote:

> Without wanting to sound like a political shill I distinctly recall Conroy
> saying at the debate last week that fibre was the only way to do
> videconferencing, wireless can't cut it.
>

The issue with wireless is that it is much more subject to rain fade,
shadowing, utilisation loads, and that QoS is generally fairly poor over
wireless systems. It can be done, but it isn't as reliable.



> But the policy announced yesterday directs health videoconferencing
> services at the regional and rural areas that are going to miss out on fibre
> and get WiMax/LTE or satellite instead under the NBN plans.
>

Last count was 93% of premises to get fibre. That's a significant part of
the regions that don't get doctors, or the specialties they need.



>  Has anyone thought through the insurance implications of video healthcare
> or the fact that many specialists or patients might simply refuse it?
>
>

Without a medicare item number there is no incentive to do it. With this
change it will become part of accepted clinical practice and then you get
the development of suitable medical protocols and health insurance coverage.

Generally, from the studies I've seen, the patients love it. For families
who would have to shut down the farm/business for a few days while they take
junior for a routine follow up won't stop raving about the benefits they
see.




-- 


Narelle
narellec at gmail.com
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