Integration of Virtual Care in the Audiology Service and Beyond.

Purpose: This clinical focus article examines the history and evolution of telehealth, emphasizing its technological advancements, integration into health care systems, and the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth utilization in the United States, within the private sector an...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:American Journal of Audiology Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 767 - 781
Autor principal: Worthington, Darrin
Formato: questions and answers tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Dec2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=190286319&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 190286319
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        10590889
        5KS
      jtl: American Journal of Audiology
      issn: 10590889
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: Dec2025
      vid: 34
      iid: 4
      pid: 42
      pub: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
      place: Rockville, Maryland
    artinfo:
      ui:
        190286319
        190286319
        190286319
        10.1044/2025_AJA-25-00149
        190286319
      ppf: 767
      ppct: 14
      formats:
        fmt:
          @attributes:
            type: P
      tig:
        atl: Integration of Virtual Care in the Audiology Service and Beyond.
      aug:
        au: Worthington, Darrin
        affil: Office of Connected Care/Telehealth Services, Veterans Health Administration Digital Health Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC
      sug:
        subj:
          Health Care Delivery, Integrated
          Telehealth
          Audiology
          Veterans United States
          Health Services Accessibility
          COVID-19 Pandemic
          United States
          Pneumonia, Viral Epidemiology
          United States Department of Veterans Affairs
          Patient Satisfaction
          War
          Private Sector
          Patient Centered Care
          Veterans Health Services
          Attention
          Remote Patient Monitoring
          Hearing Aid Fitting
          Digital Health
      ab: Purpose: This clinical focus article examines the history and evolution of telehealth, emphasizing its technological advancements, integration into health care systems, and the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telehealth utilization in the United States, within the private sector and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Particular attention is given to the integration of audiology within telehealth, highlighting how the growth and use of teleaudiology services within the VHA have expanded access to this specialized care for Veterans. It aims to clarify how telehealth, including teleaudiology, has been established as a critical modality for enhancing health care access and delivery to Veterans. Conclusions: The historical context reveals that, while telehealth has roots tracing back to the American Civil War or earlier, the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed an unprecedented surge in adoption and integration of telehealth services in both the private sector and the VHA. The data indicate a significant increase in telehealth encounters and patient satisfaction before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing its role as a complementary modality alongside traditional in-person care. Challenges such as regulatory barriers and digital access disparities continue to exist, yet ongoing efforts to embed telehealth training in health care education and to foster technological innovation signal a promising future for telehealth. As the health care landscape evolves, telehealth is poised to remain an integral component of patient-centered care.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        questions and answers
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N