Keewaytinook Okimakanak

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• Keewaytinook Okimakanak
• Developing Telehealth Initiatives in First
  Nations
• http//health.knet.ca/telehealth
• Orpah McKenzie, KO Health Director
• orpah.mckenzie_at_knet.ca
• First Nations Connect Conference
• February 11-14, 2001 - Thunder Bay, ON

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ISSUES EXPRESSED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERSCommunity
Consultation Report, 2000 (http//health.knet.ca/
telehealth/docs/KO-telehealth-consult.htm)

• The overall reaction to local telehealth access
  was positive but common concerns were expressed
  during the consultation
• physical location of the telemedicine suite and
  the integration with existing services
• the introduction of telemedicine services
  (levels, timeframes)
• privacy and security (i.e. how user
  confidentiality would be respected)
• possibility of fewer CHNs and/or physicians in
  the communities
• effect on local health transportation services
• local coordination and staffing (distribution of
  work and training)
• sustainability

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TELEPSYCHIATRY PILOT PROJECT1999 -
2001(http//health.knet.ca/telepsychiatry.html)

• Project Goals
• Maximize access to professional services for
  isolated communities through the use of
  videoconferencing
• Minimize the disruption to clients
• Utilize and enhance the capabilities and skills
  of community support persons in terms of overall
  care of clients
• Determine whether this method of mental health
  intervention is less expensive than the
  traditional face-to-face process

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Project Planning(Chief, Council, local Health
staff, staff at Keewaytinook Okimakanak, project
coordinator and psychiatrist)

• community orientation
• community education and awareness
• determining effective structures, procedures and
  protocols
• screening clients for appropriateness of the
  tele-psychiatric consult medium
• organizing and implementing the video
  consultations
• evaluation of acceptance by the clients

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LESSONS LEARNED(from the telepsychiatry pilot
project - fall 2000)

• Telehealth takes TIME-requires planning, teamwork
• Telehealth takes new money for equipment and
  staffing
• Telehealth involves CHANGE- way of doing business
• Need to negotiate with technology providers!
• Support from other health professionals will take
  time.
• Control of program and applications belongs with
  the community
• Appropriate training, facilities and support
  systems must be available for the workers and the
  clients
• Telehealth cannot be used to replace, but rather
  to enhance existing services
• Partnerships at all levels are required
  (effective communication systems must be in
  place)

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Next Steps

• Electronic Patient Medical Records
• proposed project for records to move with patient
  electronically
• KO Health Centre (a modern Smart Facility)
• coordinated physician, nurse, hostel,
  administration services
• Developing and Supporting First Nation Smart
  Health Facilities and Services
• new Nursing Station in Poplar Hill, up grade of
  Health Services in North Spirit Lake and
  Keewaywin to full Nursing station status
• full time nursing services in each First Nation
• children-centred programs (Head Start), home care
  services with call centre support, diabetes
  education and support programs
• On-line Health Education and Training programs
  for First Nation staff and professional
  development