Dave Sharland Case Summary

Dave Sharland – Mr. Sharland a physical therapist for the North Florida/South Georgia Veteran’s Administration (VA) reported that during his career, he has participated in over 800 physical therapy visits in home settings and been very positive. The Council questioned Mr. Sharland on licensure requirements, technical platform, types of services offered, and patient and patient representative access to services. Mr. Sharland to explain the health care providers working with the VA are only required to obtain a license in one state, but they are limited to providing services to only VA patients. He noted that that necessary technology is sometimes provided directly to patients and that in other instances the patient is responsible for purchasing
the equipment themselves; indicating that they currently use a technical platform that can be plugged directly into a patient’s personal computer. Mr. Sharland also shared that the VA has plans to grow exponentially through telehealth by expanding in the areas of tele-audiology, tele-neurology, and tele-cardiology. He noted that patient caregivers are also provided training in order to assist with the use of telehealth services if needed. He also noted the VA uses increased access and reduced readmission rates to determine program success. Mr. Sharland concluded by advising reimbursement for services whether in-person by using telehealth technology is the same because the patient receives the same standard of care in either setting.