Experts at Virtua’s Telemedicine Event Discuss Evolution of Healthcare

On Nov 11, 2016

Respected experts in the field of telemedicine joined to speak at The Evolving Role of Telemedicine: Driving Quality, Access and Cost Savings, an informational forum hosted by Virtua on Friday, November 4. Nearly two-hundred people were in attendance, local and out-of-state, all eager to learn about the rapid changes in healthcare.

“Healthcare technology has welcomed a true era of innovation and new thinking in integrated care delivery,” said Richard P. Miller, President and CEO of Virtua. “Telehealth can change the current paradigm of care and allow for improved access and improved health outcomes in cost effective ways.”

Several experts in the telemedicine field participated in panel discussions, which focused on shaping public policy in Telehealth and its impact on the patient community. Panelists included The Honorable Pam Lampitt, New Jersey Assemblywoman; Ward Sanders, New Jersey Association of Health Plans; Linda Schwimmer, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute; Joe Carr, New Jersey Hospital Association; Dr. Steve Kolesk, SVP of Clinical Integration at Virtua; Dr. Ann D. Bagchi, Rutgers University; Dr. John Chuo, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Dr. Nirmal Patel, Teladoc; Dr. Tarun Kapoor, Virtua Medical Group; and Dr. Howard Orel, Advocare.

John Matsinger, D.O, Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Virtua, moderated the session on Telehealth’s impact on the patient community. “As a physician, I know first-hand patient issues related to scheduling appointments when they are really sick and need attention quickly,” said Dr. Matsinger. “Telemedicine is one way that Virtua is providing access to care at the right time and the right place.”

Remarks from The Honorable Cathleen Bennett, Commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Health, emphasized what she said was “enormous potential for improving access to care” and stated that telemedicine is another avenue in which the patient community can be engaged in managing their health. She also recognized Virtua as a “continuous leader in innovative healthcare”.

Keynote speaker Dr. James Peake, President of the American Telemedicine Association, took the stage with a robust presentation about the U.S. telemedicine market outlook. Dr. Peake brought home the theme of the forum, the evolution of telemedicine, calling it “a 40 to 50 year overnight success”.

The conversation on Telehealth has risen to consideration in the New Jersey legislature. On November 3, the Senate Budget and Appropriations committee heard and passed Senate Bill 291, which authorizes health care providers to engage in Telehealth and telemedicine.

At Virtua, Telehealth has been incorporated into regular medical practices for over a decade. In January 2015, Virtua teamed with Teladoc to provide 24/7 access for low acuity primary care issues. Most recently was the launch of Virtua eVisits, a telemedicine platform which will be used as an access point for many of Virtua’s great services.

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