A telemedicine clinic serving children with hearing and ear problems is scheduled to begin on January 19, 2012. The service is a collaboration between the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, UIC College of Medicine at Chicago and the University of Illinois Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC). Dr. Miriam Redleaf, a board certified otolaryngologist at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, will provide this clinical service remotely through videoconferencing technology The clinic will be located at the L.P. Johnson Family Health Center, 1221 E. State Street in Rockford. The patient will be assisted in that location by a licensed practical nurse and a family medicine resident from the UIC College of Medicine at Rockford. Images of the patient's ear will be projected to Dr. Redleaf utilizing an otoscope, a medical device used to look into the ears, which is integrated into secure videoconference technology. Patients and family will communicate during the appointment with Dr. Redleaf through the secure videoconference connection.
The clinic is designed for children and young adults, birth to 21 years with ear and hearing conditions. Patients covered by insurance and Medicaid are welcome. Appointments are still available for the January clinic. Patients in need of this service are scheduled through the Rockford Office of the University of Illinois Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC). DSCC offers care coordination for children with specialized health care needs.
For more information, please contact UIC-DSCC Rockford Regional Office at (815) 987-7571or toll-free at (800) 651-9319.