Veterans who live in rural areas are more at risk than other Veterans for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung diseases. But what can Veterans do when they don’t live near a respiratory specialist? That’s where VA’s TelePulmonology services come in.
“I don’t even have a specialist available to send somebody to if they live in a rural, remote place, through community care or otherwise,” said Dr. Laura Spece, a pulmonary and critical care provider at Puget Sound VA in Seattle. “So, telemedicine’s really helpful to level the playing field for Veterans who would otherwise not have access to the best high-quality care.”
Veterans who have been referred to TelePulmonology can meet virtually with a pulmonologist over VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app. For conditions like COPD, a provider can prescribe medication without requiring an in-person visit.
If a test is required, services like TeleSpirometry may be available depending on location. Spirometry measures the flow and amount of air going into and out of the lungs. Instead of traveling for hours to a VA medical center, Veterans can visit a local VA clinic that has the equipment and take the test there. The data is then sent to a VA pulmonologist who can make a diagnosis or prescribe medication.
