California embarks on 'future of medicine' via telehealth

A consortium leading a $30 million telehealth project in California has tapped AT&T to connect hundreds of healthcare providers throughout the state.

AT&T will provide the consortium, which is led by the University of California Office of the President and the UC Davis Health System, with a secure, medical-grade telecommunications system as part of the California Telehealth Network. The California Telehealth Network (CTN) was established in 2007 as part of a $22 million pilot project from the Federal Communications Commission to improve healthcare access for rural and medically underserved areas of the state and provide a new resource for distance learning, emergency services and disaster preparedness. CTN is funded by the Federal Communications Commission, the California Emerging Technology Fund, and UnitedHealth/PacifiCare. The network is expected to provide a peer-to-peer system, enabling each member to have reliable, high-quality connections with public and nonprofit healthcare providers located in both rural and urban locations. Project officials say communities will benefit through improved access to clinical expertise in specialties ranging from oncology and radiology to infectious disease and psychiatry.