Wyoming Telehealth November Newsletter

Wyoming Telehealth Network

Telehealth News - November 2020

The Wyoming Telehealth Network newsletter is a source for telehealth information, resources, and current practices to improve telehealth services in Wyoming. The WyTN supports healthcare entities, providers, and specialists through professional development, collaboration, and leveraging of telecommunications technology.

If you would like to contribute information to the newsletter or have your practice highlighted, please email wy-telehealth@uwyo.edu.

Provider Spotlight

For siblings, Dr. Grace Gosar and executive director of the Laramie Downtown Clinic, Pete Gosar, telehealth is not just a priority - it is a labor of love. This Q&A discusses their triumphs and challenges with telehealth since March 2020 and will dig deeper into the incredible work of this free clinic.

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When did you first hear about telehealth? How did you feel about it then? How do you feel about it now?

Dr. Grace Gosar: I would guess I heard about it 10 years ago. I just didn’t feel like it was reality then. I looked at how my day went and the technology we had, and I didn’t believe there was equipment or motivation to do it at my former work place. In March 2020, we started doing things differently—I see myself as an extender for specialty providers now, and it makes me a more flexible option. I am happy we were pushed into providing telehealth, and I don’t think we will leave it as a clinic or even as a country.

Pete Gosar: We heard about telehealth services a couple of ways—first, reading about it on the internet and second, we had some experience with electronic health records that intrigued us. That was where we first heard about it and knew that many of our patients do not have reliable transportation, and this could save them the trouble of getting to the clinic. Lack of reliable transportation caused patients to cancel many times.

When did you begin offering telehealth services? What prompted the need to offer these services?

Dr. Grace: It was March and it was the Coronavirus. We are a mostly volunteer clinic and we have limited paid staff, so if the paid staff were to get sick, we could not provide services. That really prompted us to take action. We had to be really careful about offering some sort of service but needing to remain well (as a staff) too.

Pete: COVID really forced us to go down this road. We figured telehealth might save both patient and provider some time when you just need to check-in with a provider. But it has also been especially helpful for specialty appointments.

What motivates you to continue offering telehealth services?

Dr. Grace: I think telehealth works better for our clients in certain instances. One of the reasons we started a Wednesday night clinic is because so many of our clients work during the day and cannot afford to miss work. It is exquisitely useful for our clients, and I think it works well for providers too. I don’t think we even know the full breadth of what we can do with telehealth. I think telehealth is a wonderful extender to what we have to offer at the clinic. I have also sat in with specialty providers, and we often get a different outcome for patient health if their primary care physician is there.

Pete: Telehealth is proving effective—it works! I see how important telehealth is now and how this is a real opportunity for people to connect with other specialists and make a healthcare plan that works for them.

Introducing Our New Project Coordinator, Senior

Andrea Shipley is the new Project Coordinator, Senior with the WyTN. She shares her passion to help provide quality and accessible healthcare to Wyomingites regardless of their zip code.

Andrea is a fourth generation Wyomingite, born and raised in Worland. She has worked in a variety of capacities with nonprofits across the Northwest including executive director, development director, program staff, board member, and volunteer. She comes to WIND from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

In her spare time, Andrea enjoys Wyoming's public lands by camping, kayaking and hiking with her family and dogs. She is an avid volunteer in the Cheyenne community and beyond.

Andrea earned an associate degree in English from Northwest College, a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Montana, and she is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration from University of Wyoming.

At this time you can contact Andrea at her email: ashiple4@uwyo.edu or contact the WyTN at wy-telehealth@uwyo.edu.

We are excited to welcome Andrea to the team, and are looking forward to introducing her to all of the stakeholders and partners throughout the state.

Request For Information From The Health and Human Services Department

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeks to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of changes adopted by health care systems and health care providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many healthcare systems and clinicians have rapidly re-engineered their policies and programs to improve access, safety, quality, outcomes including mortality and morbidity, cost, and value for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 related medical conditions. HHS plans to identify and learn from effective innovative approaches and best practices implemented by non-HHS organizations in order to inform HHS priorities and programs.

Submit Formal Comment Here

UW Speech and Hearing Clinic

Wyoming Telehealth Consortium

The Wyoming Telehealth Consortium is the central meeting space to discuss the programs, success/challenges, and discuss ideas on improving the use of telehealth in the state. The Consortium meets on the last Tuesday of every month, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Anyone interested in building telehealth is encouraged to attend.

December 1, 2020

3:00pm - 5:00pm

zoom.us/j/371954998