Implementation of a Novel Occupational and Environmental Medicine Specialty Teleconsultation Service. Issue 2 (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eaton, Jennifer L.; Mohr, David C.; Mohammad, Amir; Kirkhorn, Steven; Gerstel-Santucci, Christina; McPhaul, Kathleen; Hodgson, Michael J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 57:Issue 2(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000330
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Objective:</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>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.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>The program has created a new system management solution to deliver expert, in-depth consultation and real-time provider education in OEM.</p> </sec> </abstract>