Georgia’s telemedicine network is a jewel in the state’s health care infrastructure.

It’s delivering medical care in rural areas, using high-definition cameras to illuminate problem areas and transmit them to a doctor hours away with clear pictures. The examinations can range from skin problems to behavioral health issues.

And telemedicine is working for stroke victims as well, delivering rapid diagnosis and treatment for patients.

It also can be a revenue generator for participating hospitals, says Dr. Jeffrey Switzer, stroke specialist at the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University.

Switzer is corresponding author on a study that uses five years of patient and hospital data from telestroke networks at GHSU and the Mayo Clinic.

Here’s a GHN video interview with Switzer, courtesy of GHSU:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7mLpQxScbk[/youtube]