According to an article appearing in the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center’s (TATRC) newsletter called “TATRC Times”, the Army’s Virtual Health (VH) program is working rapidly to provide vital medical capability at the point of need. Recently, the Army established the “Virtual Medical Center” (VMC) at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Last January, TATRC established the “Virtual Health Support Office” (VHSO) to make sure their telehealth capabilities retain their status and to improve the delivery of Visual Health in operational settings.
TATRC conducts monthly meetings for the “Global Teleconsultation Portal called CENTROM to serve as a platform to utilize tele-behavioral health. The goal is to connect the right individual to the right professional to address behavioral issues and then provide follow up. In addition, VHSO provides back-up management of the Army’s asynchronous teleconsultation and tele-dermatology programs.
Air Force’s Medical Service (AFMS) Telehealth has been developing tele-imaging systems to serve the specialty communities of radiology, cardiology, endoscopy, and pathology. The AFMS has also developed several telehealth modalities to deliver both synchronous and asynchronous teleconsultations between primary care and specialty providers. Today, the Air Force is beginning to offer virtual video visits between providers and patients, primarily in the area of behavioral health.
Navy’s Virtual Health (VH) services span ten time zones, nine countries and territories, and over thirty clinical specialties. The Navy’s future direction is to augment existing capabilities by expanding their VH footprint and also to provide additional clinical specialties to maximize support for deployed sailors, Marines, units, and providers.
In the second quarter of 2017, the Medical Operations Group appointed the Navy to manage telehealth in the patient’s location using the program titled “Virtual Video Visits” (V3). V3 uses two way interactive audio and video appointments by utilizing a primary or specialty care provider working with a patient at home, work, or in another secure location. Healthcare may be delivered via a variety of devices by using a web cam, smart phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
Go to Linkedin.com for the TATRC site and then click on the website www.tatrc.org. For more information on TATRC, call public affairs at 301-619-7927.