During the coronavirus pandemic, families, businesses, and academic institutions were forced to adapt and innovate. In addition to the many health care needs created by the virus itself, the medical community was in desperate need of ways to provide care safely, effectively and efficiently to patients – especially the medically fragile. Many of these challenges were solved by doubling down on telemedicine efforts backed by robust broadband networks throughout the state. 

The coronavirus upended our way of life and threatened the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Our at-risk populations sheltered in place, students at universities like ours switched to online learning, and many Georgians simply stayed home while communities worked to stop the spread of the virus. During the early stage of the pandemic, outpatient medical services dropped by as much as 60% in certain cases. We knew the battle for a healthier tomorrow was being fought on two fronts.

As Georgia's only public academic medical center and a leader in innovation and discovery, Augusta University partnered with the State of Georgia to introduce the AU Health ExpressCare app, which provided a mechanism to screen for COVID-19 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, free of charge. The app evolved from its early forms and quickly added capability for patients to access a physician for virtual care services, which assisted in limiting the spread of the virus by keeping people out of doctor's offices and emergency rooms desperately needed for critical patients.

The AU Health ExpressCare app was also a crucial tool for patients who were reticent – or unable – to visit their doctor in person. With the simple click of a button, Georgians could virtually connect with their primary care physician or certain specialists. From routine check-ups to chronic illness management, virtual care allows continuity of care – even during a once in a century pandemic.

Earlier this year, we launched our latest iteration of telemedicine services, AU Health Virtual Care. Created initially as a response to the pandemic, AU Health Virtual Care is a comprehensive telehealth system offering patients access to a health care provider for non-emergency medical conditions from their personal device. Additionally, the service has now expanded to offer prescription services, referrals and coordination of follow-up care.

The success of these virtual care programs and their increased demand, outlasting the needs of the pandemic, is an extremely positive sign that telemedicine options are a key to providing accessible, low-cost health care solutions to residents across the state.

There's no doubt that the services we provided virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic were made possible by the public and private sector investments years prior. Thanks to Governor Kemp, state lawmakers and our federal partners, access to broadband in rural and underserved communities continues to grow.

As we move past this pandemic and tackle the pressing issues ahead, we must continue to enhance connectivity throughout Georgia. I'm confident that students disconnected from online learning sessions and parents struggling to find a good connection for their Zoom conference would agree. Fortunately, there is an opportunity to address this critical access issue. With significant dollars coming from the federal government as part of the pandemic relief, state and local policymakers across Georgia can continue to make an immediate impact on the rural broadband infrastructure. High capacity, high-speed networks already exist, and some providers have the ability and expertise to deploy new networks quickly and effectively. 

With investments in robust fiber-optic networks, Georgia can expand its capabilities in telemedicine, improve access to health care in rural areas and ultimately enhance each Georgian's overall health and well-being – no matter their ZIP code. By expanding our telemedicine operations, supported by high-speed broadband, Augusta University will work around the clock to ensure a safer, healthier Georgia.