WA first service is a step in the right direction for country patients
L-R: Anita John, Director Research and Innovation, Nadine Herren, Clinical Trials Manager, Tep Llewellyn, Senior Podiatrist, Dr Lloyd Nash, Physician, and Katrina Orr, Senior Pharmacist - TeleTrials.
In a WA first, Great Southern foot clinic patients are taking part in a cutting-edge clinical trial using state-of-the-art telehealth technology.
Part of the WA Country Health Service's (WACHS) $11.3 million TeleTrial Program, the initiative is connecting patients living in regional areas with Perth-based and interstate research programs, trials treatments and monitoring.
The dedicated team at Albany Health Campus along with colleagues at Fiona Stanley Hospital worked hard to recruit the first regional participants in the Vitafoot diabetes-related foot ulcer study, bringing potentially life-saving treatment closer to home for some of regional WA’s most vulnerable patients.
To mark Telehealth Awareness Week (23-27 October) WACHS is shining a spotlight on how digital technology is positively impacting country communities.
WA Country Health Service's Director of TeleTrials Dr Wei-Sen Lam said it was exciting to see the TeleTrial program rolled out in country WA for the first time.
"Regional Western Australians can now take part in potentially life-saving clinical trials and stay in their local communities.
"It means that someone who might be identified as suitable for a trial can now say yes regardless of their postcode, improving access and equity for regional residents.
"For staff it means they get to use cutting edge treatment and interventions, so that's very exciting for them.
"And for patients, it's exciting for them to get access to these new treatments."
The Vitafoot study employs a three-dimensional imaging system used by local clinicians at Albany Health Campus, to track participants' healing progress over the course of the trial.
The Silhouette wound measurement system will remain in Albany long-term to help local clinicians provide gold-standard care for people living with diabetes-related foot disease.
Clinicians from the Albany High Risk Foot Service team are working closely with lead researchers from Fiona Stanley Hospital's Multidisciplinary Diabetes Foot Ulcer team using videoconferencing technology.
Check with your health professional to see if a telehealth appointment is right for you. For more information visit the HealthyWA website.