Implementation of a novel occupational and environmental medicine specialty teleconsultation service: the VHA experience.

Eaton, Jennifer L; Mohr, David C; Mohammad, Amir; Kirkhorn, Steven; Gerstel-Santucci, Christina; McPhaul, Kathleen; Hodgson, Michael J · J Occup Environ Med · 2015

other · Level V

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Abstract

Occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) physician specialty practices continue to grow in scope and intensity across the Veterans Health Administration. This study characterizes the implementation of a novel, nationwide telemedicine program that provides OEM specialty consultation to providers across the Veterans Health Administration. We examined provider requests and specialist responses for a 6-month pilot from May to October 2013. Characteristics of consult users, determinants of case complexity, and specific applications of OEM specialty expertise were identified. Over a 6-month period, employee occupational health providers consulted the OEM telemedicine pilot a total of 65 times. Employee occupational health providers without formal training repeatedly identified complex cases related to work and disability. The program has created a new system management solution to deliver expert, in-depth consultation and real-time provider education in OEM.

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