DOC BOX in a
Dr. James Purnell is addressing the physician shortage in Wollaston Lake head on through remote presence technology
By Maria Ryhorski
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dequate physician coverage is an ongoing struggle in many remote communities in northern Saskatchewan. Through a partnership with Northern Medical Services, Dr. James Purnell is helping change that for the residents of Wollaston Lake using remote presence technology, less formally known as “doc in a box.” Wollaston Lake is located 550 kilometres northeast of Prince Albert and is only accessible by air or winter roads. Previously, physician coverage was sporadic, with as many as twothirds of planned physician clinics cancelled due to weather and other factors that rendered landing a plane impossible.
“What made me try this is that, when Northern Medical Services approached me, Wollaston had been without physician services for two months prior,” says Dr. Purnell. “There is an acute physician shortage.” While he admits that a remote presence is not ideal, it is a great deal better than nothing. Using “doc in a box”, a solution similar to telehealth, Dr. Purnell is able to hold a weekly clinic in Wollaston Lake. Dr. Purnell can access the system from anywhere with a cellphone connection, and patients see him and interact with him on a screen. On the ground in Wollaston, clinic staff act as his hands as he examines the patient using a variety of peripheral attachments.
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“I have access to a Bluetooth stethoscope, so whatever the nurse hears in the exam, I can hear,” he says. “I have the audoscope, the ophthalmoscope and a dermatocope that plug in digitally so I can do your nose, throat, eye and dermatological exams. So I run it as a full clinic, providing a full day of clinic time to one dedicated community.”
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THE PRIMARY REASON I’VE SEEN PROGRAMS LIKE THIS FAIL IS LACK OF RELATIONSHIPS. IT’S ALL ABOUT THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND INTER-PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
