Telehealth's role expanding in disaster, ER relief efforts

We reported a few weeks ago on telehealth finding new utility in healthcare, completely apart from the usual physician-to-patient video-conference. Nearly two months later, telehealth's evolution continues apace. Two intriguing uses for the technology, indicating its use is widening and it's applications may reach far beyond the patient bedside, include:...

...Providing counseling to disaster victims via telehealth. When what's being called one of the deadliest and most destructive tornadoes in U.S. history struck Joplin, Mo., in late May, it left an unexpected need it its wake--psychiatric counseling. Calls to the local crisis hotline more than tripled in the six weeks month after the twister touched down....