School-based telehealth in South Carolina brings needed medical care to children in underserved areas of the state. In this video, staff and a student at Hemmingway Elementary School explain the difference this program has meant to them. Kelli Garber, MSN, is the Lead Nurse Practitioner for School-Based Health and the Center for Telehealth at the Medical University of South Carolina. MUSC Children’s Health pediatrician James McElligott, M.D., is the medical director of the Center for Telehealth. Learn more about the program at http://www.muschealth.org/telehealth/school-based/index.html
SPEAKER 1: It's very, very cool that we have like a doc on a TV or online. I feel like I'm video chatting with somebody famous. SPEAKER 2: School based telehealth is a service provided through MUSC that serves children in rural and underserved areas. In my area, in Hemingway, a lot of parents work out of town. They work in Florence, they work on the beach, because Myrtle Beach is nearby, and it's a large tourist area. So a lot of times when children are at school and they become ill, there's not any recourse. By the time the parent gets from wherever they are-- say it's Myrtle Beach-- They ride public transportation there. So they don't have transportation to come and get their child. Then the child can be seen by a medical professional at school where they are. SPEAKER 1: Whenever I get hurt or sick, the teachers send me to the nurse. And Miss Tina will check at it, and see if I need a Band-Aid or call a parent. And if we need the telehealth machine, she'll set it up. SPEAKER 2: The student will come in, and for their visit. And I will sit them in front of the computer screen. Our medical professional, Kelly Garber, sees my kids. And we will connect through video. And video is a secure connection. And once we connect, Kelly can see us and we can see her. And there are different things. We have a stethoscope. And what I hear as I through the exam, Kelly hears also in real time. What I see during the exam, Kelly sees also in real time. And that way she's able to see and diagnose then and there, and also write the prescription. Electronically send the prescription or call the prescription to their pharmacy. And all the parent has to do is pick the prescription up. It is just like an office visit, except for it's virtual. SPEAKER 1: Yes, ma'am. I'll describe the telehealth consultation by I think it's cool. And I don't have to wait for about 25 minutes like they do in the doc's office. And is it is better for my mom, so she doesn't have to come all the way to my school and take time off of her job. SPEAKER 3: Being in the rural areas, the closest a pediatrician is probably 30 miles away. I mean, we have medical office. But the closest pediatrician for the children is at least 30 miles away. And also with a lot of parents having to work-- I mean, we have to work. You have to go to work. Sometimes it's hard to take off days when you have other things like, you might have more than one child. It's hard to take off for illnesses and something. And if they're already at school, and the nurse can see them for a problem they may have, it could be easier, very beneficial. SPEAKER 4: What's the next color on top? STUDENTS: Black. SPEAKER 4: What continent? STUDENTS: Africa. SPEAKER 1: The telehealth consultation helps me in my daily life because they basically just healed my life, really. They basically healed me a lot. And it make me feel better.
