Skip to main content
  • NRTRC October 2024 Newsletter

    NRTRC
    Cartoon image shows a smiling healthcare professional surrounded by jack-o-lanterns with a computer and tablet behind her.

    Fall is in full swing, and we have lots of telehealth news and events to share! Read on for news about TAPs, the Rural Health Association of Utah’s annual conference, and much more.

    The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers Presents a NRTRC Webinar in November

    NRTRC Webinar Announcement. Webinar about Federal Cybersecurity Resources for Telehealth will be held on November 14 at 12 p.m. The presentation will cover cybersecurity resources available to telehealth providers.
    REGISTER HERE

    We've Mapped 100 TAPs Locations!

    In celebration of October’s Digital Inclusion week, the NRTRC is pleased to announce that we have mapped over 100 Telehealth Access Points (TAPs) on the NRTRC Find Telehealth Map! A TAP is a public-facing space that furnishes a device with a working camera, speaker and microphone, an internet connection, and privacy considerations in the form of a dedicated room or kiosk for the general public to access a telehealth appointment. TAPs are found throughout the nation at community anchor institutions like libraries, social service agencies, and community health centers. Digital navigators who want to help patients with telehealth visits can access a free, online, self-paced training, the NRTRC’s Navigating the Telehealth Neighborhood

    Image announces that NRTRC has mapped 100 telehealth access points in the region and thanks partners who helped reach the milestone.

    Telehealth News

    DEA Extends Telehealth Accessibility Flexibilities

    A new rule posted on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) registry suggests that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is planning an additional extension of COVID-19 flexibilities for telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances, beyond the current expiration date of December 31, 2024.” The new rule is not currently available for review but shares the title of the previously published notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medicationssuggesting that the specifics may be along the same lines but that the OMB and others are processing more than 38,000 public comments and reviewing potential policy changesPending DEA Extension on Prescription of Controlled Substances via TelemedicineMcDermott Will & Emory. Oct 11, 2024.

    J.D. Power Survey Finds Pros and Cons in Telehealth Services

     A new J.D. Power and Associates study found that many consumers love the convenience and speed of telehealth services, but they still struggle with issues around connectivity, privacy, and the range of services available. The study also found large differences in satisfaction based on age, geographic location, and types of insurance coverage. See the full article here.

    Regional Telehealth News

    NRTRC Seeks Advisory Board Members from

    Oregon, Wyoming, and Utah

    As we navigate the continuing evolution of telehealth in the northwest, we’re seeking a few dedicated professionals to join our telehealth advisory board. We’re looking for individuals with the following qualifications:

     

    • Passion for advancing healthcare access and equity
    • Experience in improving patient outcomes in underserved regions
    • Experience with telehealth strategy development and implementation

     

    Please use our contact form and select “Outreach Request” to express your interest or nominate a candidate.

    Rural Health Association of Utah’s Annual Conference 

    Rural Health Association of Utah logo

    The 2024 Annual Rural Health Association of Utah Conference will take place on November 13 and 14 in St. George, Utah. The annual conference is dedicated to promoting and improving rural healthcare in Utah. Join us for two days of insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing. 

     

    The theme of this year’s conference is Cultivating Healthier Lives in Rural Utah. Breakout sessions will cover healthcare trends, resources, and rural health issues, including presentations from several innovators in the rural Utah healthcare community. 

    Collaborative Initiative in North Central Washington Works to Empower Seniors with Telehealth Knowledge

    In an effort to bridge the digital divide and enhance healthcare accessibility for seniors, the (NCW) Tech Alliance has partnered with the Wenatchee Senior Activity Center and Confluence Health to host a series of innovative workshops. These workshops are designed to equip seniors with the necessary skills to navigate telehealth services confidently. This effort benefits seniors from rural and low-income households, as well as those with disabilities or language barriers, by allowing seniors to familiarize themselves with the steps involved in a telehealth appointment, ensuring they feel comfortable and prepared for real-life telehealth scenarios. By closing the digital divide, the initiative aims to improve healthcare access, allowing seniors to manage chronic conditions and connect with specialists remotely.

    Western States Face Healthcare Accessibility Challenges

    In a recent Forbes Advisor article ranking where healthcare is least accessible in the United States, Utah tops the list. Idaho and Wyoming made the top ten list and Alaska came in eleventh.

    Success Story

    NRTRC Outreach Around Broadband Access, Telehealth, and Digital Equity

    The NRTRC was grateful for the opportunity to present on behalf of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at two incredible events in September, one held at the public library in Missoula, Montana, and the other in Portland, Oregon! We also made an appearance in Utah and spoke with resettlement and refugee organizations at the Switchboard Confluence. We shared telehealth resources and the message that telehealth can bridge gaps in healthcare access for rural and remote communities, playing a crucial role in ensuring that all people have the resources they need to access digital and telehealth services.

    Image is a close up of a laptop with the word webinar on the screen.

    Events to Bookmark in 2024

    October

    Libraries in Idaho Talking Trends (LIIT): Telehealth

    Oct 24 @ 2 p.m.–3 p.m.

    Organizer: Idaho Commission For Libraries

    This time around, let’s talk about how you’re marketing your telehealth services. This chat is an opportunity for libraries and partner organizations to connect about telehealth by sharing resources, successes, and challenges. All libraries are welcome to attend at any stage of their telehealth journey, from those exploring if telehealth is a good fit for their library to those who have fully functional telehealth programs up and running.

    Futureproofing Access to Care: A Discussion With Healthcare Leaders

    Oct 29 @ 11 a.m.–12 p.m.

    Organizer: American Telemedicine Association

    This session will bring together industry experts to explore the evolving landscape of healthcare and the strategies necessary to maintain and enhance access to care. The discussion will focus on addressing current challenges, such as clinician shortages and health disparities, while examining the future of healthcare delivery in an ever-changing environment. Attendees will hear from leaders at the forefront of healthcare innovation, sharing their perspectives on how to ensure continuity, opportunity, and quality in care delivery.

    November

    Image shows featured speaker Jaleen Johnson with logos for the ATA Insights Summit and Health Anywhere. Image includes direction to Register Today.

    ATA Insights Summit: Health Anywhere

    Nov 13–Nov 15

    Arlington, TX

    Organizer: American Telemedicine Association

    Join us at the Health Anywhere Summit, November 13–14, for an exclusive opportunity to explore the future of healthcare. Discover how we’re breaking down traditional care boundaries to deliver holistic, continuous care experiences that are inclusive, accessible, and empathetic.

    2024 Rural Health Association of Utah Annual Conference

    Nov 13–Nov 14

    St. George, UT

    Organizer: Rural Health Association of Utah

    The Rural Health Association of Utah Conference is an annual event dedicated to promoting and improving rural healthcare in Utah. Join us for two days of insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing. The 2024 Annual Rural Health Association of Utah Conference is on November 13 and 14 in beautiful St. George, Utah. The theme of this year's conference is Cultivating Healthier Lives in Rural Utah.

    NRTRC Webinar—CISA Services: Federal Cybersecurity Resources for Telehealth

    Nov 14 @ 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

    Organizer: Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center

    This presentation will introduce the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Health Sector Coordinating Council, and the joint CISA/HHS Cybersecurity Toolkit. We’ll cover cybersecurity resources available to telehealth providers, including vulnerability scanning, cyber risk assessments, and training at no cost

By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and acknowledge the use of cookies to store information, which may be essential to making our site work properly or enhancing user experience.