Veterans can visit doctors without ‘creating turmoil’

IOWA CITY - The Iowa City VA Health Care System showcased its ability to digitally connect with veterans Thursday.

'It's the access to care that it improves so much,” said Dan Byer, a telehealth coordinator at the VA. 'We're able to provide the veteran the right care, in the right place, at the right time with this technology.”

Among the items featured were tablets, which allow veterans to remotely connect with their medical providers - avoiding the costly and often burdensome trip to Iowa City or a specialty clinic, Byer said.

'You can take that tablet into your truck for a half hour and have your appointment, you can have the appointment at Starbucks, you can have the appointment at your home,” Byer said.

The tablet technology is part of the Clinical Video Telehealth program at the Iowa City center. In addition to the tablets, Byer said providers can send the patient peripheral devices such as scales, blood-pressure monitors and stethoscopes, in order to get more medical information.

Angela McDowell, a telehealth clinical technician, said the center started sending out tablets two weeks ago and has since had 15 encounters with veterans.

McDowell said the tablet technology is promising for veterans who have ALS and have a difficult time getting out of their homes. She said the technology also benefits mental health patients, some of whom have difficulty going outside.

'This offers them the ability to do this without creating turmoil,” she said.