TeleOccupational Therapy reduces hospital readmissions
The Department of Veterans Affairs has confirmed that its TeleOccupational Therapy program is successfully reducing hospital readmissions among Veterans who receive virtual care following hospitalization. The program allows VA occupational therapists to meet with Veterans in their homes via VA Video Connect, the department's secure videoconferencing platform, enabling clinicians to assess real-world living conditions and identify safety hazards that could lead to repeat hospitalizations.
Occupational therapy focuses on helping patients perform daily activities safely and independently, particularly after illness, injury, or surgery. Traditional occupational therapy typically occurs in clinical settings where therapists must rely on patient descriptions of their home environments. The TeleOccupational Therapy approach reverses this model by bringing the therapist virtually into the Veteran's actual living space, where they can observe how patients move through their homes, identify fall risks, review medication storage and usage, and spot environmental hazards in real time. This direct observation has proven especially valuable for Veterans recovering from cardiac events, major surgeries, and other conditions that increase vulnerability during the critical post-hospitalization period.
The program serves Veterans across multiple states who have been recently hospitalized and are enrolled in VA healthcare. Amy Oselio, a VA occupational therapist based at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, provides virtual care to Veterans throughout Wisconsin and Illinois, demonstrating the program's ability to reach Veterans in rural areas or those who face long drives to VA facilities. The telehealth format particularly benefits Veterans with mobility limitations, those at high risk for complications, and individuals who might otherwise skip follow-up appointments due to distance or transportation challenges.
Real-world cases illustrate the program's impact. During one virtual medication review, Oselio discovered a Veteran was taking double doses of the same medication—one prescription from VA and another from a community provider—causing the dizziness and fall risk that had led to his initial hospitalization. In another instance, she identified a shower hazard during a pre-surgery virtual visit with a Veteran awaiting a liver transplant, immediately arranging for safety equipment delivery and grab bar installation before the patient returned home in a weakened state following the procedure. These interventions, possible only because the therapist could see the actual home environment, prevented potential readmissions.
For disabled Veterans, this program addresses a critical gap in post-hospitalization care. Many service-connected conditions increase fall risk, complicate medication management, or create mobility challenges that make in-person follow-up appointments difficult or dangerous. The ability to receive expert occupational therapy assessment without leaving home not only improves safety outcomes but also ensures that Veterans with higher disability ratings or multiple conditions receive thorough environmental reviews during their most vulnerable recovery periods.
Veterans interested in TeleOccupational Therapy should discuss the option with their VA care team, particularly if they are facing upcoming surgery or have recently been hospitalized. The service is part of VA's broader telehealth offerings, and eligibility depends on enrollment in VA healthcare and clinical appropriateness as determined by the care team. Veterans can find additional information about available telehealth services through the VA Telehealth Services website or by contacting their local VA medical center directly.