Telemedicine
530.532.8271
telehealth@orovillehospital.com

Telemedicine uses videoconferencing equipment and high-speed telephone lines to send and receive medical information and pictures. With telemedicine, a family doctor can help a patient visit a specialist in a distant community for medical care. Although Oroville has a very strong community of specialty physicians, some specialists practice only at large medical centers typically located in cities. Telemedicine is perfect for those times when a doctor specializing in a particular branch of medicine is not available locally.

During a telemedicine appointment, the patient can see and hear the specialist, and the specialist can see and hear the patient. The specialist asks questions and carries out an exam just as if the patient were making a regular, in-person visit to the doctor. High-tech cameras or other instruments may be used to get a close-up view of the skin or see inside the nose, ears or mouth.

Residents of rural communities can benefit from telemedicine technology in a number of ways. Telemedicine helps avoid time consuming and costly travel to visit a specialist. This allows patients to receive care from an expanded range of doctors without leaving their local community. Treatment delays are reduced because it is easier to schedule specialty appointments on an as-needed basis.