Medicare Waivers Set to Expire In 2025
As of December 31, 2024, federal waivers regarding Medicare telehealth policies will expire. No definitive action has been announced, but recent rumors suggest a possible extension, though it may be brief or come with conditions. Without an extension, Medicare telehealth policies will revert to pre-waiver regulations, which differ significantly from …Read More »
DEA Grants Third Temporary Extension of Flexibilities for Tele-Prescribing Controlled Substances
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in concert with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a third extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications through December 31, 2025. Under this new regulation, providers can continue prescribing Schedule II-V controlled substances via telemedicine without having conducted …Read More »
Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Delivery
Across industries, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we operate. For health care providers, deploying AI in their practice can enhance patient outcomes and streamline everyday clinical operations. However, it’s also important to be aware of the concerns surrounding AI in health care, including data privacy, biases, and regulatory …Read More »
Best Practices for Creating a Safe Space in a Virtual Therapy Session
In today’s digital age, virtual therapy has become an essential tool for providing mental health support. While it offers convenience and accessibility, it also presents unique challenges in creating the same level of emotional safety and connection as in-person sessions. For mental health providers, ensuring that patients feel secure, supported, …Read More »
Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance Receives Inaugural VTN Innovator Award
During the 2024 Virginia Telehealth Network Summit, Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance (BRTA) received the inaugural VTN Innovator Award for its work to expand access to behavioral health care in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck regions of rural Virginia. The VTN Innovator Award celebrates the unique and groundbreaking ways health …Read More »
Advancing Rural and Small-Town Health Care
Earlier this year under the leadership of House Speaker Don Scott, the Virginia House of Delegates launched the Select Committee for Rural and Small-Town Health Care to study challenges faced by rural counties and small towns in accessing quality health care. The committee is tasked with developing actionable recommendations by …Read More »
Best Practices for Equitable Patient Support
As the conversation around health equity grows louder, it is imperative to understand the unique challenges patients face and explore actionable solutions to bridge the gap. We recently shared best practices for building a foundation for equitable initiatives through learning and understanding. While awareness and knowledge are essential, meaningful change …Read More »
Approaching Equity in Your Practice
Each July, as part of BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, health care organizations and professionals bring awareness to the unique challenges Black, Indigenous, and people of color face in accessing mental health care. During this observance, those in the field can advocate for mental well-being within their communities by sharing …Read More »
CMS Issues Proposed Rule Governing Telehealth for 2025
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently put forth a proposed rule that would extend certain telehealth waivers through 2025. Among them: Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics would continue to be able to bill for non-behavioral health telehealth services. Providers would continue to be allowed …Read More »
Telehealth Continues to Offer More Accessible Care According to Virginia’s Health Care Providers
As part of ongoing efforts to monitor the impact of telehealth on Virginia’s patients and health care providers, the Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) conducts a periodic “Benchmarking Telehealth Usage in Virginia” survey of actively practicing licensed health care providers across the Commonwealth. This research effort offers context regarding Virginia’s current …Read More »
Successes and barriers in virtual reproductive health care in Virginia
Birth in Color Telehealth Listening Project Report Cover Photo. Source: Birth in Color Like many states, Virginia has vast deserts when it comes to OBGYN and reproductive health care, causing disparities in access to care for many. To gain a comprehensive understanding about the effectiveness in using telehealth in reproductive …Read More »
Mental Health Awareness Month: How Telehealth is Breaking Down Barriers to Accessible Care
Mental Health Awareness Month is in full swing and with it, a reminder of the importance of maintaining mental wellness. Across the country mental health conditions are a persistent challenge with more than 20% of adults (approximately 50 million) experiencing a mental illness every year, according to the National Alliance …Read More »
As telemedicine has evolved, clarity on coverage has become all the more important
There’s an age-old paradigm when it comes to the adoption of new technology. As users move to embrace the ease and convenience that comes with technological progress, the speed at which the technology is being adopted often outpaces the practical implications around it. That leaves policymakers as well as those …Read More »
Community Connections Hold Key to Expanding Telehealth Access, Report Says
Over the last several years, patients and providers alike have recognized the efficiency of telehealth, and today it holds particular promise for the one in nine Virginians with a disability. However, the adoption of telehealth across the Commonwealth often faces hurdles due to the limited availability of broadband access. Four …Read More »
Laying the Groundwork for Virtual Substance Use Disorder Treatment Models in Correctional Facilities
Across the country, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) continues to be one of the most prevalent challenges faced by many: in 2023, 15.35% of Americans were reported to be battling substance use disorder according to data from Mental Health America. Of those, 93.5% did not receive any form of treatment. Stigma, …Read More »
Considerations for Patient Safety in Telehealth Delivery
The swift growth of telehealth rapidly transformed health care delivery. Flexibilities during the Public Health Emergency enabled providers to adopt new ways in how telehealth technologies can be used, ranging from text messaging portals and eConsultations to video sessions with patients or other providers. As providers and patients alike quickly …Read More »
Cultivating Inclusive Telehealth Experiences for Patients with Different Backgrounds
As telehealth has revolutionized the way health care services are delivered, providing convenient and accessible options for patients, the importance of considering cultural nuance in care delivery is just as important in virtual care as it is in-person. According to national survey trends in telehealth from the HHS’ Office of …Read More »
EMS and Telehealth: UVA Health Enhances Workforce Development, Immediate Care for Stroke Patients
According to the Virginia Department of Health, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in Virginia. Most stroke patients do not arrive to the hospital in time, leading to increased death and permanent disability. UVA Health’s SCOPES (Strengthening Community Paramedicine and Emergency Services) program aims to bridge the gap …Read More »
Strengthening Virginia’s Mental Health Workforce with Telehealth
The breadth and depth of Virginia’s mental health crisis is harrowing. According to Mental Health America, Virginia is in the bottom-third of states when it comes to access to mental health services. Additionally, the latest data from the Health Resources & Services Administration states that every locality throughout the state …Read More »
Telehealth Triumphs: A Recap of Wins in 2023
The year 2023 has proven to be pivotal for telehealth, as legislators in Virginia and across the country took significant steps to ensure continued flexibility and encourage the use of telehealth services. We’re grateful to work alongside many leaders at the forefront of this movement towards a shared goal of …Read More »
Optimizing Care for Patients with Limited English Proficiency
Telehealth can help in connecting patients of all different backgrounds to essential services, but one critical barrier that exists is accessing care for patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Identifying solutions can be challenging but two free and charitable clinics in Richmond have identified ways to get care to these …Read More »
DEA Grants Second Temporary Extension of Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescribing Controlled Substances
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced another extension of the temporary telehealth rules for prescribing controlled substances. The first extension was announced earlier this year, just ahead of the end of the Public Health Emergency. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key points of this extension and the …Read More »
Benefits of Telehealth and Needed Areas of Improvement, According to Virginia’s Licensed Providers
Each year, the Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) conducts an annual survey to better understand how Virginia’s licensed providers are using telehealth and identify areas they feel can improve. More than 10,000 health care professionals took part in both the inaugural survey in 2021 and the latest survey, which was released in …Read More »
The Role of Telehealth in Virginia’s Rural Health Plan
Q&A: w/ Heather Anderson, Virginia Department of Health When the Virginia State Office of Rural Health began taking steps toward updating the Commonwealth’s Rural Health Plan, it took a step back to ask a foundational question: What is a healthy community? The answer to that query has helped to shape …Read More »
Breaking the Stigma: Supporting Access to Mental Health Care for Southwest Virginians
Nicole (Nikki) Kemp, NP-C of Bernard Healthcare Center in Rocky Mount, Va. is providing hope for her patients by talking openly about how important mental health care is to meeting the overall health needs of her patients. Earlier this year, Bernard Healthcare Center began offering free teletherapy to eligible patients …Read More »
Sen. Favola Shares Current and Future State of Telehealth in Virginia
During a recent VTN webinar Senator Barbara Favola shared insight on the current state of telehealth legislation in Virginia and where the legislature could take us in the future. She is a champion of human rights and an advocate for increasing access to quality care in Virginia via telehealth. “The …Read More »
Expanded Broadband Access Will be Game-Changer for Telehealth in Rural Virginia
President Biden announced a massive new federal law that promises to give millions of Americans – finally – access to broadband. It’s an initiative with wide-ranging implications. Just as the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 connected rural America to the electrical power grid, bringing electricity into their homes for the …Read More »
UVA Health Helping Ensure Quality Telehealth Care for Older Adults
Telehealth among older adults increased from 13,000 weekly telehealth visits pre-pandemic to a near 1.7 million weekly visits during April 2020, the majority of which were by Medicare beneficiaries. Earlier this year, the University of Virginia Health System along with the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center at UVA Health, as well …Read More »
Up to The Minute: PHE and Telehealth News – June 2023
As the dust settles from the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE), vast changes in health policy continue to follow. This month’s round-up focuses on the effect the end of the PHE has had on health insurance, the role of telehealth in curbing mental health struggles, the cost of …Read More »
Virginia Telehealth Survey Finds Growth in Provider Confidence
More than 10,000 health care professionals took part in VTN’s second annual survey to benchmark telehealth usage throughout Virginia. RICHMOND, Va., June 13, 2023 – A recent survey of Virginia health care professionals finds that eight in 10 (80%) providers using telehealth saw improvements in their patients’ continuity of care, …Read More »
Enhancing Telehealth for Patients who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Felecia Smith’s primary job is to help ensure that individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing can get access to information. Her main objective for becoming a Virginia Telehealth Network member is to educate health care providers of their obligations to Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients and the …Read More »
Up to The Minute: PHE Updates and Telehealth News
This round-up is dedicated to the latest news about telehealth use, the expiration of the Public Health Emergency (PHE), and the importance of maintaining access to telehealth moving forward. Below you will find new reports on how increased telehealth access is cutting health care costs in rural areas, information about …Read More »
Mental Health Awareness Month: Increasing Mental Health Resources
As we approach the end of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, it’s important to reflect on the breadth and depth of mental health issues across the country. Virtually every adult agrees the country is facing a mental health crisis, as nearly a third of U.S. adults report feelings of …Read More »
Tele-Prescribing Flexibilities Extended Just Ahead of PHE Expiration
Two days before a proposed rule change by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulating the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine was set to take effect, the agency issued a temporary rule to extend COVID-era telehealth prescribing flexibilities for another six months, through November 11, 2023. Apparently, the DEA was …Read More »
In the News: Permanent and Proposed Rules Regarding End of PHE
Continued access to telehealth services will remain a priority for health care providers across the country when the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends on May 11. This news roundup highlights extended legislative flexibilities regarding telehealth in Virginia, how telehealth has helped reduce fatal overdose risk, a new bill seeking to …Read More »
Enhancing Virginia’s State Telehealth Plan
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) released Virginia’s first State Telehealth Plan in 2021 to promote an integrated approach to the introduction and use of telehealth services in the Commonwealth. By law, the Plan includes provisions for the use of remote patient monitoring services and store-and-forward technologies as well as …Read More »
How the End of Emergency Provisions Will Impact Telehealth
During the height of the pandemic, telehealth quickly became the vehicle of choice for the medical community, and the declaration of a national health emergency gave federal agencies, including Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance, increased flexibility in addressing people’s health needs. The Public Health Emergency (PHE) will soon expire, …Read More »
In the News: Recent Studies Show Telehealth’s Role in Meeting Emerging Health Care Needs
This news roundup highlights various new studies about behavioral health needs and the industry’s effort to meet new demands, a new statistic showing the use of telehealth services by individuals who travel, a spike in telehealth care use for marginalized groups in the United States, and the concern for telehealth …Read More »
VTN-Led Initiative Now Offering Free Telemental Health Services Statewide
There is a great need for behavioral and mental health services in Virginia. A Mental Health America report ranked Virginia 39th nationwide when it comes to the availability of mental health services for adults, with 125 out of 133 cities and counties in the state designated as Mental Health Professional …Read More »
In the News: How will the end of the PHE impact telehealth policies?
Telehealth continues to modify and adapt with changes at the state and federal level. This news roundup highlights Virginia legislators’ push to extend telehealth services, what’s next for telehealth at the federal level when the public health emergency ends, and various telehealth initiatives sprouting throughout Virginia to address gaps in …Read More »
How Virginia Health Catalyst is Expanding Teledentistry in Virginia’s Public Schools
Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Untreated cavities can lead to pain, infection, missed school time, and even trouble eating, talking, or socializing. Despite the importance of oral health, not all children have equal access to dental care. But now, new advances in virtual …Read More »
In the News: New telemental health program seeing patients in Virginia
It’s been a busy news cycle in December with updates and announcements related to telehealth in Virginia and beyond, including legislative news that could impact accessibility to care, brand new virtual mental health services as part of a statewide initiative, and Governor Glenn Youngkin’s multi-million-dollar behavioral health plan. Read more …Read More »
Federal Audit Shows Telehealth Providers Complying with Medicare Billing Practices
The spike in Medicare claims for telemedicine appointments drew the attention of federal watchdog agencies. Regulators wanted to be sure that billing practices in the telehealth realm were following prescribed guidelines, especially given the fact that so many providers were still relatively new to telemedicine protocols. The Centers for Medicare …Read More »
In the News: Advancements in Telehealth
While telehealth may have been perceived as a temporary fix during the height of the pandemic, we’re seeing a push for it to become a standard for receiving care as well as new technologies to support these exciting next steps. This month’s news roundup includes telehealth for managing hypertension and …Read More »
Tips for Improving Telehealth for Your Patients
Within medical circles, the pivot from in-the-office appointments to virtual ones via telehealth has proven for some to be tricky – both from a logistics standpoint and the ways in which health care providers interact with their patients. Here’s a rundown of what many providers have learned as they see …Read More »
In the News: Bringing Telehealth to Students
Each month, VTN highlights five articles sharing updates, announcements and the latest on telehealth in Virginia and beyond. This edition includes pending legislative updates that will impact Medicare, the growing industry of teledentistry, and telehealth programs that are bringing care to students at school. Increasing Telemental Health Access to Students …Read More »
Supporting Roanoke’s exploding demand while growing recourses
Telehealth served not only as a solution for Bradley Free Clinic, and many other clinics and providers, to be able to see existing mental health patients during the onset of the pandemic, but it allowed Bradley to support its community when the demand for mental health skyrocketed. In just over two years, …Read More »
In the News: Investing in Telehealth Solutions
Each month, VTN highlights five articles sharing updates, announcements and the latest on telehealth in Virginia and beyond. This edition includes collaborative efforts in Southwest Virginia to increase access to telehealth, how virtual care may benefit the economy and legislative updates that will impact Medicare coverage. Southwest Virginia Library Creates …Read More »
Dental Care During Class: Community Health Center of the New River Valley Brings Teledentistry to Public School Systems
In the New River Valley region, one out of six people don’t have access to regular transportation. Additionally, the area isn’t abundant with medical or dental providers, and many practices don’t accept Medicaid, specifically in the dental field. To help address these issues, the Community Health Center of the New …Read More »
For Mental Health Therapy, “Meeting Kids Where They Are” Might Best be Online
For most mental health providers, the COVID-era transition from in-person sessions to virtual ones was a challenge, even for those with clients who had ready access to broadband internet. Communicating through a computer or cell phone does not come second nature to all, especially when your client is five years …Read More »
Telehealth News Updates: July 2022
Now that patients, health care workers and policymakers can widen the lens on telehealth’s impact beyond an emergency response, the benefits are innumerable. The latest equity and telehealth news round-up covers the new national suicide hotline, federal funding for expanded telehealth access, telehealth easing the burden of high gas prices …Read More »
Telehealth for Substance Use Disorder
From remote patient monitoring to teletherapy, minor medical visits and more, we’ve seen the versatility in which telehealth can be used across health care systems. And it became a saving grace for treatment and recovery for people with substance use disorders, especially during the pandemic. According to the CDC, 13% …Read More »
In the News – The Need for Telemental Health Care
Over the last two years, concerns about mental health and substance abuse have grown, and issues around accessibility and affordability continue to be pervasive. Now, insurance companies and industry leaders are trying to adapt. The latest equity and telehealth news round-up highlights insurance coverage of telemental health, telemental diagnoses, changes …Read More »
The Future of Telehealth: Where Do We Go from Here?
We’ve spent a lot of time in these pages showcasing the many ways that physicians, mental health professionals and medical practices are employing telehealth around the commonwealth. We’ve documented the tectonic shift that took place at the outset of the pandemic, how the embrace of telemedicine provided a safe and …Read More »
An Unlikely Legacy of Telemental Health from far Southwest Virginia
In marketing speak, Rick Mitchell is what we call an “early adopter,” the kind of consumer that is often a pioneer in embracing new technologies. They’re the folks who aren’t afraid to try new products and then let the rest of us know that it’s fine to jump in after …Read More »
Telehealth in the News: The Versatility of Telehealth
As we enter the next phase of the pandemic, telehealth remains a prevalent tool in increasing access to various types of care. The latest equity and telehealth news round-up covers tips for reducing clinician burnout, how telehealth is being used in emergency medicine, tools experts are using to assess digital …Read More »
Expanding and Integrating Care through Telehealth
By now you’ve heard the story about the healthcare provider whose world turned topsy-turvy during the pandemic, only to realize that employing telehealth into their practice could transport them into a world approaching normalcy. Then, two years later they come to realize that telemedicine has so many advantages that they …Read More »
VTN Study Points to Importance of Telehealth for Increasing Access to Mental Health Services
Virginia Telehealth Network’s Benchmarking Telehealth Usage in Virginia survey revealed the many benefits of telehealth, like increased flexibility for providers and patients. Another important benefit the survey findings illustrate is how telehealth is increasing mental health access for Virginians. The survey report finds that 97% of behavioral and mental health …Read More »
Telehealth in the News: Telehealth as a Lifeline
As a push comes for a “return to normal,” it is apparent how valuable telehealth is for many populations. As medical professionals and policymakers determine a path forward they must address the barriers to access for certain populations and work towards an equitable future for telehealth. The latest equity and …Read More »
Improving Access to Telehealth for Patients with Limited English Proficiency
Telehealth can be challenging for those who aren’t familiar or comfortable with technology, but patients whose first language is not English face another set of barriers. Patients with limited English language proficiency (LEP) are historically less likely to visit the doctor and less likely to get preventative care services, regardless …Read More »
Telehealth in the News: Access to care for patients with Medicare and the future of telehealth
Even as the pandemic appears to be winding down, the effects and implications of the last two years likely will be felt for months, even years down the road. The healthcare industry, in particular, has found new avenues for reaching those in need, with telehealth at the forefront of those …Read More »
Telehealth Benefits, Challenges and Needs, According to Virginia’s Licensed Providers
In the fall of 2021, the Virginia Telehealth Network conducted a research initiative to better understand how the pandemic was changing the landscape of telehealth as well as pain points and needs of both providers and patients. Thanks to partners, including the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Health …Read More »
Telehealth in the News: Updates in Legislation and Increased Access to Care
As telehealth’s barriers become more evident, medical leaders and politicians are coming up with solutions to address these challenges. The latest equity and telehealth news round-up covers legislation that would extend COVID-19 emergency telehealth waivers, how telehealth increased access to follow up-visits for Black patients, a Virginia free clinic receiving …Read More »
Virginia’s Community Colleges provide students with free, virtual mental health care
The staff and faculty at Germanna Community College have known for a long time that their students face non-academic barriers, many of which were exacerbated by the pandemic. That’s why advisors, faculty and staff have worked hard to provide holistic support to students. Over the last two years, there has …Read More »
In Arlington, Language Barriers No Obstacle for Telehealth
Not just Spanish, but Mongolian is no problemo At first blush, the story is a familiar one. Facing a national health crisis without the ability to see patients in person, a healthcare provider makes the predictable transition to telemedicine, and along the way, discovers that what seemed for a long …Read More »
Benchmarking Telehealth in Virginia
The past two years have been full of change, growth and learning as health care professionals, clinics and medical infrastructures quickly adapted to meet the growing demand for telehealth. Along the way, VTN has been hard at work to promote and enhance telehealth offerings across the commonwealth. Part of that …Read More »
Telehealth Updates in the News: January 2022
Telehealth isn’t going away any time soon. The last two years have allowed health care leaders to reflect on the implementation of telehealth across medical fields and determine how to best incorporate virtual care. The latest equity and telehealth news round-up covers bridging the digital divide with audio-only monitoring, strengthening …Read More »
The forgotten crisis? How one organization is deploying telehealth to address opioid treatment
The lingering pandemic has for two years been the country’s most-pressing public health priority. But while COVID-19 has been the understandable focus during that time, the health issue that the virus eclipsed in attention has not gone away. Hospitalizations and deaths as the result of opioid overdoses continue at alarming …Read More »
Survey Among Licensed Professional Counselors Reveals Overwhelming Response to Teletherapy
Like so many mental health practitioners, Dr. Michael Greelis made the transition to teletherapy a bit begrudgingly, recognizing that in the throes of a pandemic, you really don’t have much of a choice. A licensed professional counselor in Northern Virginia since 1995, his practice up until March 2020 had been …Read More »
In the News: Equity & Telehealth Updates
Curating the latest updates, news and announcements related to telehealth in the U.S. As organizations across the country continue to adapt to the pandemic’s ever-changing environment, finding resources that meet people’s health needs is critical. Telehealth has proven to be an invaluable tool for providers and patients. The latest equity …Read More »
Taking an Equity Lens to Telehealth in Your Practice
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many physicians and healthcare organizations have turned to telehealth to address patients’ care needs. While critical to preventing the virus’s spread and preserving personal protective equipment, this move can exacerbate an equity gap in care for some. The federal government has implemented programs that …Read More »
In the News: Equity & Telehealth Updates
Curating the latest updates, news and announcements related to telehealth in the U.S. Telemedicine has proven to be a valuable tool for bringing care to underserved communities, but access to telehealth services can be influenced by many factors across the nation, like access to broadband. Efforts to address these gaps …Read More »
New Research Shows the Reality – and the Promise – of Telemedicine
This past summer, the Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VACHA), the nonprofit organization that represents the interests of Virginia’s 30 community health centers (and look-alike centers), released research it had commissioned related to the use of telemedicine, especially how COVID-19 had affected its use. To the extent possible (since a great …Read More »
Telehealth Growing Pains: Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance Strives to Maintain Its Pandemic-Fueled Momentum
When the Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance (BRTA) was created about seventeen years ago, there was a pioneering spirit among the member healthcare providers serving Virginia’s Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. At the time, the promise of telemedicine helping expand access to care and reducing health disparities was still more aspirational …Read More »
Expanding access to broadband in the Commonwealth
While telehealth is an instrumental tool in expanding access to health care for underserved localities, demographics and others in need, it’s nearly impossible to conduct without access to broadband – for both providers and patients. And in today’s day and age, it is an essential need for quality living. That’s …Read More »
In the News: Equity & Telehealth Updates
Image sourced from healthaffairs.org Curating the latest updates, news and announcements related to telehealth in the U.S. The landscape of telehealth is changing every day. The adoption of telehealth soared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has become an integral platform for healthcare. Laws have been updated to accommodate …Read More »
The Tele-Charge of Health Brigade
How Virginia’s oldest free clinic transitioned to telehealth Richmond’s Health Brigade has a long history of meeting patients where they are. Created more than a half century ago in Richmond’s “Fan” district – a largely residential neighborhood that gave the community health clinic its first name – the former Fan …Read More »
Creating access to online learning via occupational teletherapy
Transitioning to virtual learning was tough on students, especially for students who had difficulty performing in the classroom. Students with limitations that impact their senses, coordination, executive functioning, communication and/or behavior can find remote learning even more of a challenge. It’s why Chesterfield County Public Schools, which provides Occupational Therapy …Read More »
OTs Help Chesterfield Students Transition to Teletherapy and Online Learning
Michelle Allen is an occupational therapist for Chesterfield County Public Schools and serves students privately through Treehouse Pediatric Therapy. In the school system, occupational therapists help students access their social and academic environments, which completely changed during the pandemic. “In an in-person classroom, we might be looking at positioning for …Read More »
Free Clinic’s Transition to Telehealth Is Helping Grow its Practice
For more than a quarter century, the Lackey Clinic has been providing free medical care to those in need in the Yorktown community. Founded in 1995 when local physician Jim Shaw and his wife Cooka began seeing patients from a Sunday school classroom at a local church, the clinic has …Read More »
Data on Telehealth Use During Pandemic Includes Some Head-Scratching Findings
Dr. Sadiq Patel’s recent webinar on Telehealth Equity – part of the Virginia Telehealth Network’s series on Equity & Telehealth – provided a great deal of insights into the statistics surrounding the use of telehealth in the country. A NIMH postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Patel shared …Read More »
Equity in Telehealth: Addressing Areas in Need
Improving telehealth means ensuring there is equity at every level. Tools, technology and processes must be accessible and customized to meet the needs of all patients. The technology providers use also should offer enhanced options and have translation capabilities for those with a language barrier. Another way physicians can improve …Read More »
Equity & Telehealth: An intro with Dr. Sadiq Patel
As part of Virginia Telehealth Network’s commitment to serving those who need it most, we kicked off our Equity & Telehealth initiative with an introductory webinar led by Dr. Sadiq Patel, NIMH Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School within the Department of Health Care Policy. During this session, Dr. …Read More »
Telehealth Provides Platform for Mutual Learning During Pandemic
It was the spring of 2020, and Dr. Christian Bergman – like so many physicians specializing in the care of patients in the senior population – was concerned. Reports that COVID-19 was spreading quickly in Washington State and then New York, especially among older Americans, had him fearing a …Read More »
Tips for Introducing Telehealth to Older Adults
There is a misperception that older adults are either uninterested in or incapable of using technological platforms for health care. However, most older people, 7 in 10, have and use a computer, smartphone, or tablet with an internet connection at home. While most older adults have access to modern technology, …Read More »
Physician and nurse practitioner collaborations are a win-win-win
The past year has brought many challenges – including new practice safeguards that for many limited how many patients could be seen in a day – as well as many opportunities. Many of our practices have embraced telehealth, new collaborations, and creative staffing models as we sought to meet our …Read More »
Early Telemedicine Champion Now Seeing Remote Services Taking Hold
The pace of what’s referred to as “digital adoption” – the embrace of online tools – has accelerated dramatically during the pandemic. According to research by McKinsey, consumers are driving digital adoption across their daily lives, from the way we shop and order food to how we communicate with one …Read More »
Virginia Board and NP-led clinic provides free clinical services to local, underserved community
When the Rockingham Free Clinic in Harrisonburg ceased operation at the end of 2020, and during a pandemic, local health care professionals stepped up to ensure those without access to healthcare would have their needs met. In April 2020, the Blue Ridge Free Clinic was established. Overall, the clinic is …Read More »
Telehealth Sustains Momentum Toward Improving Health Equity
VCU’s Richmond Health and Wellness Program works to create equitable solutions for older adults. The topic of equity in healthcare – an evening-out of the playing field when it comes to access to care among all populations – has been a gathering concern over the past several years. While the …Read More »
Virginia policies catching up to momentum behind telemedicine
The public health emergency of the past year has impacted the delivery of healthcare services in profound ways, and perhaps none more so than how it has accelerated the adoption of virtual care – by both patient and provider. From diagnostic tools to preventive care, from mental health services to …Read More »
Are Digital Health Transformation and Remote Patient Monitoring the healthcare of the future?
We have seen a glimpse of the future of health care during the pandemic this past year. Tools such as telemedicine and video platforms were quickly deployed to provide care to patients with chronic disease at their own homes in order to keep them from overwhelming hospital systems that have …Read More »
General Assembly easing path to independent practice for nurse practitioners
Those of you following the recently completed session of the Virginia General Assembly may have taken special notice of a bill having to do with nurse practitioners. Proposed by Del. Dawn M. Adams, herself a practicing nurse practitioner, H.B. 1737 – which passed by more than a three-to-one margin in …Read More »
Too soon to be planning for post-pandemic? Likely not.
The pandemic has engendered changes within healthcare at every level – from a relaxation of regulations by policymakers to the adoption of new protocols among healthcare providers to changes in behavior among patients. The question now – how much of this new normal will last once we are on the …Read More »
Building connections through telehealth
While telehealth has been around for years, it was something new for many healthcare professionals across the commonwealth, quickly obliged to adopt it when the pandemic and social distancing protocols began. A year later, the volume of telehealth claims in the southern region of the nation is up more than …Read More »