By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    bowl of vegetable salad
    Raw Foods: benefits and harms
    November 9, 2021
    pros and cons of the keto diet
    Read This Before You Follow the Keto Diet
    May 18, 2022
    spinal cord injuries
    4 Potential Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries (and How to Seek Compensation)
    May 25, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Striking Back at the Drug Abuse Epidemic [VIDEO]
    December 19, 2013
    The basics of getting health insurance
    The Basics of Getting Health Insurance
    June 13, 2022
    Finally: An FDA (Draft) Guidance for Social Media in Medical Marketing
    January 21, 2014
    Latest News
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: How Technology Could Solve VA Healthcare Issues
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > How Technology Could Solve VA Healthcare Issues
BusinessHospital AdministrationPolicy & LawPublic HealthTechnology

How Technology Could Solve VA Healthcare Issues

Matt_Gretczko
Last updated: June 14, 2014 8:00 am
Matt_Gretczko
Share
4 Min Read
VA healthcare
SHARE

VA healthcareEvery news channel is covering the issues that were revealed at the VA. To boil it all down, there appears to have been secret “wait-lists” that masked the amount of time Vets waited to receive care so that the numbers looked better. This has potentially led to deaths, misdiagnoses, and also truly ineffective care coordination. Terrible.

VA healthcareEvery news channel is covering the issues that were revealed at the VA. To boil it all down, there appears to have been secret “wait-lists” that masked the amount of time Vets waited to receive care so that the numbers looked better. This has potentially led to deaths, misdiagnoses, and also truly ineffective care coordination. Terrible.

Of course, like every other topic, this will become politicized. No one can honestly argue that there are not real problems, at the same time, its an opportunity to hold someone accountable and try to push alternative agendas – neither of which will fix the issue.

So how do we fix it, at least in the short-term?

More Read

Best Practices for Physician Alignment
Government Pays Bonuses for Increasing Medicaid Expenditures
What Are the Consequences of Medical Malpractice?
Marketing When Your Waiting Room Is Full
These Addictions May Be Coping Mechanisms For Anxiety Or Depression

One of the best, or at least most logical, solutions to the problems that I heard was presented in an interview by Montel Williams on CNN. Apparently he served in the military for 20+ years before his “famous” career and he presented the following solution summarized in my own words: open up all on-base and other active military institution hospitals/clinics to veterans, and make recently returning military medics back on temporary active duty solely to treat veterans in the US at these same, or other facilities. Essentially a “surge” of medical providers.

There are obviously some complexities associated with this approach, but at face value, it makes a lot of sense. You have a highly trained workforce that is capable and familiar with helping military personnel, and you have facilities that have the resources to treat them. Not to mention, it would not drastically change the funding component of the puzzle.

What’s another solution?

Technology. Yes, I am going there. Talk about pushing an agenda. The “situation”, I won’t call it a scandal, that is occurring at the VA is a prime opportunity to assess whether technology can help solve some of the inherent problems.

Let’s take one process in the VA that has not been heavily covered in the news, but plays a tangential role in the issues. Veterans do have the opportunity to go into the private sector for care. When they do, they must be granted an authorization for a referral. Seems straightforward, but the messaging suggests that it is mainly a paper-based process today that is actually extremely burdensome on the veteran. Imagine if we could convert this to an automated process that is highly efficient and drastically decreases the time required for Vets to see private sector doctors – that may help just slightly in lessening the backlog.

It is extremely valid, and necessary, to talk about the very personal nature of this issue as it impacts the lives and health of vets. Concurrently, it is important to recognize that behind such a robust network of clinics, hospitals, facilities and stakeholders, the need for strategic conversations are necessary to drive the best possible capabilities.

Mark Van Scyoc / Shutterstock.com

TAGGED:VA healthcare
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
Mental Health
June 18, 2025
healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025
from gut to glow
From Plate to Wellness: How Everyday Foods Nourish Your Body Inside and Out
Dental health Infographics Specialties
June 15, 2025

You Might also Like

telemedicine business feature benefits
TechnologyTelemedicine

Building Telemedicine System: Features and Tips

December 28, 2022
Image
Public Health

Caregivers, Don’t Forget to Wash Your Hands, It Saves Lives

February 10, 2013

Right Result, Wrong Reason: VA Boots Avastin For Wet AMD

September 28, 2011

mHealth Summit Conference 2011: Pre-Conference Thoughts

December 4, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?