The Internet2 Health Network Initiative provides ongoing support for participants in the FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program, and works to facilitate collaboration among RHCPP participants and the broader Internet2 community, including Internet2 Connectors.

Benefits of Internet2 Health Network Initiative Participation

As part of the Internet2 Health Network Initiative's ongoing support for the FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program, FCC RHCPP participants may connect to the Internet2 Network, which enables:

  • High-performance connections nearly 45,000 other research and education organizations
  • Access to unique online resources,
  • Enhanced opportunities for collaboration, and
  • Cost-effective alternatives for providing education, clinical care and consultation.

Access to the Internet2 Network is provided in collaboration with Internet2 Connectors, regional and state-based advanced networking organizations.

In addition to network access, RHCPP participants that connect to Internet2 will participate in a community that has been actively supporting health-related activities for eight years. Dedicated staff and an engaged community will help support Internet2-connected RHCPP participants in:

  • Leveraging advanced network connectivity,
  • Identifying and accessing network-based resources, and
  • Implementing practices that can lead to:
    • Better clinical outcomes,
    • More cost-effective processes, and
    • More effective clinical partnerships.

Specific Internet2 Health Network Initiative activities include:

  • Internet2 Member Meeting sessions and focused workshops,
  • Face to face meetings and workshops focused on issues of immediate and long term relevance
  • Working Groups to address specific issues,
  • Regular group conference calls and dedicated email lists, and
  • Printed and online educational and support materials.

In addition to direct support of RCHPP participants, Internet2 staff:

  • Work closely with Federal agencies
  • Interact with national policy and decision makers, and
  • Establish partnerships with professional health care organizations.

More broadly, the Internet2 community provides a wealth of experience and expertise with new and emerging networking technologies of interest to health care such as:

  • Identity management,
  • Federated authorization,
  • Security, and
  • Network performance monitoring.
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