Facilitating Education of Rural Nurses via Telemedicine

Often nurses in rural setting must travel a great distance to attend continuing education activities related to their specialty. Especially in the realm of obstetrical nursing, where in a small hospital nurses often have to rotate between units to care for varying types of patients. To facilitate the education of these nurses, telemedicine is currently being used to transmit educational activities to these nurses. In July of 2007, both the AWHONN Intermediate and Advanced Fetal monitoring courses were transmitted to remote sites from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Attendees were very responsive to this service and provided positive and constructive feedback. Other courses may be offered through this technology, such as the STABLE course and the AWHONN orientation program. Education and peer-collaboration are key elements in empowering nurses and assisting them in developing an evidence-based practice. Telemedicine is a cost effective tool, which can be used to facilitate this education.