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Virtual care revolution: Impact on clinical pharmacy practices in the Department of Veterans Affairs
Author(s) -
Ourth Heather L.,
Heyworth Leonie,
Galpin Kevin,
Morreale Anthony P.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of the american college of clinical pharmacy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2574-9870
DOI - 10.1002/jac5.1475
Subject(s) - telehealth , veterans affairs , pharmacy , legislation , telemedicine , health care , business , medical emergency , pandemic , medicine , nursing , covid-19 , political science , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
For nearly two decades, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has invested in the development and implementation of telehealth services which comprises video, store and forward services, and remote patient monitoring. Virtual care includes telehealth services along with telephone care and e‐consults. These efforts proved critical in 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Expanding implementation of telehealth to the home became an access and safety imperative. This article highlights VA efforts and infrastructure for expansion of telehealth into the home and clinical pharmacy practice integration of virtual care. The acceptance of technology coupled with advancements in legislation, policy, and technologies has resulted in expanded applications within the health care system. While continued expansion of virtual care seems inevitable, there remain challenges to ensuring both access to virtual care and the safety and effectiveness of the care delivered. Looking to the future, there will be a continued need for future research on outcomes associated with virtual care, exploration of the benefits of video capability over telephone care, and cost‐effectiveness.