Integration of Telemedicine Practice Into Correctional Medicine: An Evolving Standard

Abstract

The application of telemedicine in corrections has grown rapidly. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to develop a status report on the value that telemedicine has added to health care delivery in the prison setting. When most state and federal correctional telemedicine projects started, operation costs were high and applications were limited. However, with technologies increasingly affordable, access to specialized consultations for prisoners expanded greatly. Further, many legal barriers to service have been resolved. The number of health complaints that result in trips outside of a secure facility has dropped significantly. Each avoided trip saves hundreds of dollars in transport and security expenses, which has been the best indicator of success. Published material supports the value of telemedicine as a highly effective tool in health care delivery without compromise to patient safety or confidentiality. In fact, telemedicine can increase quality of care due to interaction between specialist and caregiver, as well as greater access to specialty care.The authors are with the

Use of telemedicine in the European penitentiaries: current scenario and best practices

“…[25] This avoids additional costs such as transportation and security measures achieving good satisfaction among the users. [26][27][28] Several studies were performed to help prisons and health services in producing a model for partnership in the delivery of health care in penal establishments. They included models whereby local and Sanitary System augment prison health care through telemedicine.…”

Improving care quality with prison telemedicine: The effects of context and multiplicity on successful implementation and use

“…The quantitative outcomes data reported varied from correlation between in-person/telemedicine assessment scores, 38 numbers of consultations, 39–42 patient satisfaction scores, 43 cost effectiveness, 34,44–50 and clinical outcome measures. 51–52 Very few studies reported outright failures of telemedicine, 53–54 with most finding it offered equivalent or improved care quality 5,42,43,51,52,55–70 at an acceptable cost. 8,9,25,31,34,38,43,47,50,53,56–59,62,64,69…”

“…51–52 Very few studies reported outright failures of telemedicine, 53–54 with most finding it offered equivalent or improved care quality 5,42,43,51,52,55–70 at an acceptable cost. 8,9,25,31,34,38,43,47,50,53,56–59,62,64,69…”

“…5,9,39,59,71,72,83,84,105,106,109,110,122,123 Telemedicine was seen, for the most part, to address these concerns and provide a convenient and low-stigma model for healthcare delivery. 9,37,39,59,71,72,83,84,105,106,109,110,122–124 In some instances it even offered a more conducive atmosphere for patient disclosure. 62,63,74…”

A Surgical Telemedicine Clinic in a Correctional Setting

“…Telemedicine applied by surgeons in correctional care can deliver excellent and effective care to inmates without incurring additional costs such as transportation and security measures. 10 Application of communication standards, together with videoconference technologies and health record documentation, provide an effective solution to surgical consultation and facilitate continuity of care. Prior experience with perioperative care guided design of this program.…”