VA Integrates mHealth Into Daily Care, Gives iPads To Vets

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has started several pilot programs to study the impact of mHealth on the health care of its post-9/11 veteran population.  By distributing 1000 iPads to the caregivers of seriously wounded veterans and promoting the use of a mobile appointment scheduling app, the VA hopes to optimize the experience of veterans and their families before rolling out the projects nationwide.

Through the Family Caregiver Pilot, one thousand veteran caregivers will receive loaner iPads pre-loaded with a suite of apps designed to access and share health information, and coach patients through chronic pain and PTSD.  Additional apps will provide notifications, reminders, a health journal, and other tools that connect patients to their physicians.