The Illinois Telehealth Initiative Launches to Aid the Country's Projected Physician Shortage

Will Flanagan, Chicago Inno
Published: February 23, 2015

As a result of both budget cuts across the entire healthcare space and an aging population, the former Surgeon General of the United States hypothesized that by 2025, there would be a physician shortage of over 130,000. Fewer doctors, more problems.

And this projected shortage places an increased emphasis on telehealth, the use of technology and data to support long distance health care. That's why, this morning, the Partnership for a Connected Illinois (PCI) announced the launch of the Illinois Telehealth Initiative, a campaign to expand the geographic availability of access to healthcare. The announcement was made at MATTER, Chicago's new hub for healthcare innovation, and the initiative is backed by the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council (MCHC).

"Each year, hospitals across this region treat an increasing number of patients in need of psychiatric evaluation, and most institutions, due to budgetary restrictions or location, do not have 24/7 access to psychiatric support," said Michael Wahl, MD, Medical Director, MCHC.

"For institutions in such a situation, MCHC is proud to offer the Midwest Telepsychiatry Consortium, a groundbreaking solution to help providers increase access to psychiatric care, enhance the quality and efficiency of ED treatment regimens, and significantly reduce boarding times for behavioral health patients in distress."

To identify and executive new telehealth projects, PCI will establish a steering committee for the campaign. This committee will be charged with actively demonstrating the effectiveness of telehealth in improving  access to healthcare while also reducing costs. Also, per the morning's press conference, the initiative will be developing plans "for regional and statewide telelhealth networks."

At today's announcement, several MATTER members were in attendance to represent the innovation that's already happening in-state in the telehealth sector. These startups include TelehealthRobotics, a company that's leveraging low-cost robotics to ensure that ultrasound exams can be performed remotely, and Regroup Therapy, a HIPAA compliant video platform built specifically for mental and behavioral health.

PCI is currently seeking partners to support the Illinois Telehealth Initiative through participation and fiscal contribution.