The US Department of Veterans Affairs announced today that it is launching a pilot Telehealth program which will provide rural Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remote access to psychotherapy and related services.  The program Telemedicine Outreach for PTSD (TOP) will deliver therapy through phone and interactive video contact.  It is being developed through the VA's Office of Rural Health in partnership with the VA's Quality Enhancement Research Initiative.  

Leading the project is VA Puget Sound Health Scare System of Seattle Washington's Dr. John Fortney a research health scientist.

There are more than 500 rural Veterans not receiving PTSD speciality care that now have enrolled in the study.  The study will include frequent phone calls from a care manager who will manage and coordinate their interactive video access to off-site psychiatrists and psychologists.  The interactive video sessions will be from VA medical centers to community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC) or the Veteran's hom.  12 CBOC's will be included in the program from Charleston, South Carolina; Iowa City, Iowa; Little Rock, Arkansas; Denver, Colorado; San Diego, California; and Seattle.