U of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to open digital health, innovation institute

Jackie Drees -

Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences established the Institute for Digital Health and Innovation to enhance its telemedicine and digital health services.

The institute's focus for the first six to 12 months will be to ensure patients have access to the software and technology for live video consultations with physicians and other healthcare professionals, according to Curtis Lowery, MD, director of the new institute.

"The concept of home digital monitoring is where it's all going to go," Dr. Lowery said in a news release. "You're going to do more things outside of the hospital and office and integrate patient care into people's everyday lives."

The institute will also seek partnerships with other healthcare systems to offer a wider range of medical specialties. The institute aims to reduce healthcare costs by eliminating the need to transfer patients from rural hospitals to larger medical centers like UAMS for specialist care.

The UAMS Institute for Digital Health and Innovation will include the university's Center for Distance Health, which connects hospitals and clinics across Arkansas via telemedicine, continuing medical and health education and evaluation research through video.

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