The Indian Health Services and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's department of pediatrics entered into a memorandum of understanding to explore the creation of a pediatric specialty consultation service using telemedicine.
The goal of the partnership is to develop a comprehensive pediatric telemedicine program for the Navajo, Phoenix, Tucson and Albuquerque areas under IHS authority. CHOP physicians will provide advice to IHS healthcare providers on challenging cases and diagnoses.
According to the agreement, both institutions will collaborate to identify the pediatric service needs for American Indian and Alaskan native children, determine the structural requirements necessary to provide viable telehealth services and understand the advantages/disadvantages of new models of care delivery, among other goals, according to the article.
The contract will be reviewed annually by both parties.