St. Cloud VA Health Care System
Bringing care closer in a Virtual Medical Room
To start using the Virtual Medical Room, simply tell a member of your care team.
Bringing Care Closer to You in a Virtual Medical Room
“Beam me up, Scotty!” was a catchphrase popularized on the Star Trek television show anytime Captain Kirk needed to be teleported back to the Starship Enterprise.
VA hasn’t yet developed a teleportation machine, but we can now allow you and your provider to “beam in” to a virtual medical room using everyday technology, via a computer application, or app, called VA Video Connect. To start using this service, simply tell a member of your care team.
In the virtual medical room, you participate in video health care visits where a hands-on physical examination is not required. You access your provider on a scheduled date and time – just like a face-to-face appointment in an exam room. In the virtual medical room, you communicate with your provider over the Internet using a microphone and web camera. Text messaging is also included in a virtual medical room visit.
To use the virtual medical room, you need an electronic device, such as a personal computer or laptop equipped with microphone and web camera, a smart phone or a tablet computer. A personal email account is also required.
If you need help establishing a personal email account, stop by the Health Hub in Bldg. 29, Room 20, for assistance.
Once a virtual medical room session is scheduled, you will receive an email with a link to join the virtual medical room. At the time of your appointment, you simply click on the link, enter your name, and launch the session.
Starting on March 23, 2018, Apple (iOS) device users will need to download a new and enhanced app developed specifically for VA. Previously, Apple (iOS) users used the Pexip app to access medical rooms. After March 23, the Pexip app will no longer work for VA video visits. Tap here to download the iOS app. The searchable name for the new app to be used with Apple (iOS) devices is called “VA Video Connect.”
No download is needed for non-iOS/Apple devices.
Virtual medical rooms provide you with access and convenience when:
- You live far away from your VA facility.
- You’re dealing with health conditions that make it difficult to travel to the specialist you need.
- You have a few minor questions for your doctor that can be answered over live video.
- You lack time to attend an in-person appointment.
- A hands-on physical examination is not required.
Video appointments are secure and respect your privacy. Only invited participants can join a virtual medical room for a visit. Participants can always see who has joined. And further, the VA provider can lock the room once all invited participants have arrived.
That’s it! If interested in using this service, tell a member of your care team!
To learn more about the virtual medical room, check out this short video.
