Insights from Clinicians on Tele-Emergency Care: A Qualitative Analysis
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By
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Jessica Faiz
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Caroline Gray
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Allison Engstrom
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Justine Seidenfeld
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Anita A Vashi
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October 5, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Insights from Clinicians on Tele-Emergency Care: A Qualitative Analysis
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Tele-Emergency Care |
| Key Mechanisms | Utilizes a nurse-led triage system to connect veterans with emergency medicine clinicians via telephone or video for acute symptom assessment. |
| Target Population | Veterans accessing emergency care services through the VA. |
| Care Setting | Virtual care delivery in emergency medicine. |
Key Highlights
- TEC program initiated by the VA in 2020 to reduce ED crowding.
- Over 400 physicians involved in the national TEC program.
- More than half of acute concerns resolved during TEC encounters.
- 5.5% reduction in subsequent ED visits associated with TEC.
- TEC allows direct patient engagement from home, potentially averting unnecessary ED visits.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Assessment of acute symptoms via telecommunication.
Management
- Provide treatment recommendations, prescribe medications, and coordinate follow-up care.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Evaluate health care utilization and safety outcomes.
Risks
- Potential for misdiagnosis without physical examination.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Veterans experiencing acute symptoms.
TEC clinicians can prescribe medications and recommend urgent care when necessary.
Clinical Best Practices
- Integrate tele-emergency care into existing emergency medicine frameworks.
- Utilize a national electronic health record for coordinated care.
- Ensure clinicians have access to complete patient health records during encounters.
Related Resources & Content
- Kanzaria HK, Cooper RJ. The unspoken inequities of our boarding crisis.
- Ferguson JM, Jacobs J, Yefimova M, et al. Virtual care expansion in the Veterans Health Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Li KY, Kim PS, Thariath J, et al. Standard nurse phone triage versus tele-emergency care pilot.
- Tran LD, Rose L, Suzuki K, et al. Medical advice lines offering on-demand access to providers reduced emergency department visits.
