Greater Oregon Behavioral Health Launches Videoconferencing for Rural Communities

Portland-based Greater Oregon Behavioral Health Inc. (GOBHI) has launched telemedicine videoconferencing in 16 rural communities across Oregon through a partnership with LS Networks.

GOBHI, a managed care organization serves roughly 100,000 people in 16 rural counties in Oregon, was awarded a $436,506 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program to provide behavioral health videoconferencing in rural communities. GOBHI’s telemedicine network is powered by LS Networks’ fiber-optic broadband network.

“Rather than have someone drive three hours for a consultation in the city, it’s more cost effective to have that patient videoconference,” Laurence Colman, chief medical officer at GOBHI, said in a statement. “Telemedicine increases our access and reach in rural areas, and helps us offer specialized care to the people and communities that need it most.”