PAHALA — More than 40 people visited Pahala’s Ka‘u Resource and Distance Learning Center to see a new medical kiosk Friday.
It will serve as a pilot program to assess community need for the high-tech machine’s ability to connect patients with doctors via video.
Free visits with primary-care doctors will be offered for a year, available to anyone — regardless of insurance coverage.
HMSA’s Online Care will partner with the Ka‘u Health Kiosk to supply doctors for the service.
According to HMSA, the physicians will diagnose, recommend treatments and, if necessary, prescribe medications via the kiosk.
The kiosk and service was donated in partnership between telemedicine-technology developer American Well and HMSA.
“I think it is a really good partnership with everybody,” said Jessie “Auntie Jessie” Marques, executive director of the Kau Rural Health Community Association, 96-3126 Puahala St. in Pahala, where the kiosk is located (928-0101).
American Well President Dainelle Russella said she comfortably speaks to audiences of thousands of people.
But she became nervous and emotional when speaking in Pahala Friday because of what she knows the technology means to the rural community.
“We have technology. We have expertise. We have physicians. If we can put that to use, particularly in rural communities that don’t have access, why wouldn’t we do it?” she said.
Kiosks are particularly useful for people with chronic conditions and ailments like cancer, Russella said. Instead of needing to drive to Hilo repeatedly, someone undergoing cancer therapy or getting diabetes checkups can instead check in through the kiosk.
“It’s like a concierge service for the masses,” Russella said.
Natasha Richards, HMSA business analyst, presented demonstrations to community members who watched with deep interest and asked questions.
She said patients discussing an especially private matter can pick up a telephone receiver and the speaker shuts off to add privacy.
Those who need assistance signing on the first time will have help available. If the doctor wants to look inside the patient’s ear, a medical staff member will use a medical device that’s connected electronically to the kiosk.
Blood pressure and other medical readings can be taken with the machine as well.
Richards said the service will be re-evaluated after a year, once data becomes available about its use.