American Red Cross, Teladoc to Provide Telehealth Services to Disaster Victims
The American Red Cross announced a partnership with Teladoc to deliver remote medical care to communities in the United States that are significantly affected by disasters.
It marks the first telehealth provider partnership for the Red Cross.
Through this pilot collaboration, Teladoc will make its network of physicians available to people helped by the Red Cross whose access to health care providers has been limited or is unavailable after large-scale disasters.
Teladoc’s virtual physician visit services will be made available via web, Teladoc’s mobile app as well as via phone to address the primary health care needs of individuals affected by disasters. The consultations will make it possible for disaster victims to access needed health services during events in which distance and time are important factors.
“Telehealth is on track to play a major role in the future of disaster risk reduction,” Mary Casey-Lockyer, American Red Cross senior associate for disaster health services, said in a statement “Our alliance with the Teladoc team provides the opportunity to advance toward that goal. It is our hope that this collaboration will serve as a conduit toward closing a gap in services during events, as well as in the days, weeks and months afterward.”
In the past, Teladoc has donated remote medical care following local disasters, including Hurricane Matthew, which recently struck the Southeast United States.
