A new tele-rheumatology clinic within the VA Rheumatology Clinic started in June. Amy Cannella, MD, associate professor, Ted Mikuls, MD, professor, and Bryant England, MD, assistant professor, all from the division of rheumatology and immunology, saw the need for the tele-health clinic because there aren’t any VA rheumatologists in Nebraska except for those practicing in Omaha.
“Many of our patients were driving all across the state to receive care,” said Dr. England. “Because rheumatoid arthritis care requires frequent monitoring and assessment, we wanted to improve the availability of care by delivering tele-rheumatology care all across the state to community-based outpatient clinics.”
Dr. England noted that the tele-rheumatology clinic requires coordination between the patient and provider site and excellent nursing support at the patient site. Drs. Cannella and Mikuls are also in the process of being trained to deliver tele-rheumatology care at the VA.
“Patients have been very eager and excited to schedule tele-rheumatology appointments and have been very satisfied with the care provided via tele-rheumatology,” said Dr. England.