Prolonged Field Care Podcast 34: Telemedicine To Reduce Risk In Austere Environments

Telemedicine is a crucial capability that must be planned and practiced.  The base of knowledge that a SOF medic’s knowledge encompasses includes  many areas of medicine but generally lacks  the depth of knowledge and experience of specialists available to  consult. This depth of knowledge is almost universally available when  making a simple telephone call to any number of docs willing to take a  call at all times of the day and night. Don’t let pride or hubris  prevent you from seeking advice from someone more experienced than you  in taking care of critically injured, complex patients. Telemedical  consult is one of the most important core capabilities in a prolonged  field care situation.  BOTH the medic making the call as well as the Provider receiving the  call must practice and rehearse a telemedical consult placed from a  field environment. The medic will gain confidence and be able to relay  vital information efficiently in a timely manner. The provider on the  other end will have to anticipate problems that the medic may not have  thought of and help create a prioritized treatment care plan from  incomplete information.   Trust must be built prior to an actual call being made under stressful  conditions; trust in the receiving physician and, more importantly,  trust in the process. Medics may be apprehensive in calling a complete  stranger if they haven’t made a test call or even better, a face to face  meeting. If you build the rapport before the crisis, this won’t be an  issue. You may even have the time to prep a draft email who you are and  your equipment, training level and usually a region where you will be if  you think it will be pertinent.   For more content, visit www.prolongedfieldcare.org