Virtual clinic treatment not ideal

To the editor:

Regarding The Gazette's article 'UI launches state's first virtual clinic,” May 29:

A similar project called telemedicine, or virtual clinic, was launched 7 years ago in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery where I worked. A computer network was established between University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and one of the prisons in southern Iowa. The purpose of the virtual clinic was to treat prisoners via the computer screen and avoid having the sick inmates transported to UIHC since they were non-paying patients.

We assigned our qualified Physician Assistants (PA) to conduct these clinic encounters. After a trial period of a year, the PAs were uncomfortable treating patients virtually, or via a computer screen. They felt that their professional integrity was compromised and this technology was inadequate for clinical examination. It was difficult to make a clinical assessment without physically seeing, touching, feeling and manipulating the patient.

I do not know how the Seattle-based Carena Co. enticed UIHC to partner in this ominous adventure. I believe that this program was designed as a mechanism to identify patients who have insurance and get them referred to a specialty service at UIHC. The fact that Medicare does not pay or acknowledge the validity of this service is very telling.

Paul G. Etre

Coralville