Veteran Links with his Provider through Video Conferencing

Mr. Donnelly standing in front of the video equipment with the physician on the screen. 

Mr. Michael Donnelly, a Vietnam Veteran, has been receiving care from the Cincinnati VAMC for the past eight years. Mr. Donnelly is successfully managing his Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) related to his experiences in Vietnam. The PTSD program provides treatment, counseling, and compassion to Veterans to deal with their military experiences.

Due to a visual impairment, Mr. Donnelly is no longer able to drive to his appointments at the Fort Thomas, Kentucky PTSD Division. Thanks to the telehealth technology, he is able to continue his treatment with the Fort Thomas PTSD clinic. He travels to the Dearborn, Indiana Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), which is much closer to his home. Through the telehealth connection between the Dearborn CBOC and Fort Thomas clinic, Mr. Donnelly is able to continue to see his PTSD specialty providers. He also avoids driving to Fort Thomas. With the telehealth video link, Mr. Donnelly successfully completed one-on-one counseling with Fort Thomas staff psychologist, Dr. Amy Buckley.

This technology has allowed him to continue to attend the weekly Cognitive Process Therapy (CPT) aftercare group with PTSD staff psychologist, Dr. Jeremiah Schumm. He attends the aftercare group via video conference, allowing him to interact with the group members. Mr. Donnelly states that he is very grateful for this technology. He continues to effectively manage his PTSD symptoms using the technology. And he avoids making difficult transportation arrangements to Fort Thomas.

If you would like more information on the Telehealth Program at Cincinnati, please call Amanda Eisenlohr at 513.475.6518.

By Amanda Eisenlohr

http://www.cincinnati.va.gov/features/Veteran_Links_with_his_Provider_through_Video_Conferencing.asp