UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Assistant Professor Zain Hashmi, M.D., was recently featured on UAB’s MedCast Podcast to discuss telehealth as a tool to improve access to trauma care among injured rural patients in the U.S.

In the podcast episode, Hashmi noted that urgent transport (within 60 minutes from injury) and treatment at Level I and Level II trauma centers is lifesaving for patients with severe injuries. However, reaching a trauma center within 60 minutes can be difficult for those residing in rural areas of Alabama. This means that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers often have to weigh the risks and benefits of transporting patients to a smaller hospital nearby or a specialized trauma center far away.

Hashmi explained that patients may require transfers later on, which can be costly for both the patient and the healthcare system.

Hashmi said in the podcast that physicians at rural hospitals contact UAB to discuss cases and evaluating patients without access to their medical records including imaging or online charts is challenging.

To address these challenges, Hashmi believes that telehealth support from trauma specialists will become more widespread in the future. He emphasized that data security (e.g. HIPAA-compliant software) and patient-provider trust are one of the most critical components of long-distance care. He advocates for patient and provider education to improve collaboration and care platforms.

To listen to the full episode, visit the UAB MedCast website.