Charlottesville, Va.-based UVA Health launched a new virtual primary care service May 12 aimed at increasing care access amid long wait times and clinician shortages in the state.
The “Virtual Primary Care On Demand” service connects patients with qualified clinicians, including nurse practitioners and physicians' assistants, UVA Physicians Group Chief Operating Officer Becky Compton said during a May 15 press briefing.
Compton added that the system is hoping to expand the platform's provider offerings to include pediatricians and behavioral health therapists.
Patients can schedule virtual care appointments for common conditions, preventive care and disease management. Medical emergencies, imaging, lab work and other procedures are not covered by virtual care, according to Compton.
“When those cases arise, we certainly want to help guide the patient to the right brick and mortar location,” Compton said.
The service is currently open to any new or existing patients with the health system aged 18 and older, according to UVA Health Chief Service Line and Ambulatory Operations Officer John Bennett. Bennett added children aged five and older will be eligible for virtual appointments beginning July 1.
“This new offering is designed to meet patients literally where they are,” Bennett said. “And provide the primary care that they need in a manner that should hopefully be convenient to them as well.”
Compton said the system is seeing “anywhere between 15 and 30 appointments every day” since the service’s launch, later adding patients have been scheduling “from all over the state.”
“I think it underscores the need for access to care, and it's just a great way that UVA is able to really deliver on that need,” she said.