UA telemedicine program wins national honors
The UA College of Medicine's Arizona Telemedicine Program, one of the best of its kind in the nation, has raked in several awards.
Ronald Weinstein, director of the two-year-old program, placed first in the "Most Outstanding Individual in Telemedicine" category at the American Association of Distance Learning TeleCon XVIII conference Oct. 29 in Anaheim, Calif. The program won second place in the "Most Outstanding Telemedicine Program" category at the same conference and placed first in the "Manuscript Excellence Award: Paper of the Year" category in April.
"What distinguishes our program is it integrates several telemedicine research programs, technology assessment and the delivery of telemedicine in clinical services," Weinstein said.
Telemedicine involves using interactive video equipment, computers, modem connections and high-tech cable connections to transfer data and meet with patients. The technology benefits people in rural areas and prison facilities, where normally only primary-care physicians are employed.
Weinstein said he is known as the "father of telepathy."
"Being the number one man in telemedicine is a very important statement," said Alison Hughes, associate director of the UA's rural health program and a clinical lecturer for family and community medicine. "He's been internationally renowned as well."
Weinstein said he has always found the telemedicine field appealing.
"I've had a long term interest in telemedicine assessment," he said.
Weinstein invented the robotics motorized video light microscope, used to transmit information, and founded the University of Arizona program. He co-authored an award-winning paper with four doctors from the Department of Veteran Affairs in Milwaukee that validated the use of pathology - video imaging and telecommunications - in clinical settings.
Telemedicine makes it easier for experts to diagnose and recommend treatment for patients in rural communities, Weinstein said.
Nearly 2,000 Arizona patients have used telemedicine as of Nov. 17, Hughes said.
"This an amazing accomplishment for a very short period of time," Hughes said. "We've leaped to national prominence."
Irene Hsiao can be reached via e-mail at Irene.Hsiao@wildcat.arizona.edu.
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