The V.A.'s VISTA system is great. Many providers complain, but it often is because they don't like to enter information into the system themselves they consider should be done by a clerk. Most doctors would prefer to dictate their notes rather than type them. It is a matter of training and education. My only gripe is they would make a change in the system and never let you know about it. It seemed to me that providers in the V.A. are seldom, if ever, given any opportunity to give feedback in the design or function of the system.
It is my understanding that the military system was built from the ground up when they could have taken the V.A. system and made it better for both organizations. What a waste of time and money. VISTA has been in use for more than 20 years.
I agree with the above person - VISTA is OWNED by the US Government (and thus all of us), has won major awards for its capabilities and user interface design, works well, and, since DoD and VA are supposed to exchange patient data, using the same systems would not only reduce costs, but ensure that sharing would work.
Originally posted by wmcrutchermd: The V.A.'s VISTA system is great. Many providers complain, but it often is because they don't like to enter information into the system themselves they consider should be done by a clerk. Most doctors would prefer to dictate their notes rather than type them. It is a matter of training and education. My only gripe is they would make a change in the system and never let you know about it. It seemed to me that providers in the V.A. are seldom, if ever, given any opportunity to give feedback in the design or function of the system.
It is my understanding that the military system was built from the ground up when they could have taken the V.A. system and made it better for both organizations. What a waste of time and money. VISTA has been in use for more than 20 years.
Concur. The VA program works very well. As a patient, I have heard no complaints about it--only praise by my doctors. I have noticed nothing negative about it. The DoD should copy the Vista program. Then the two departments could even talk to each other!!!!
I agree that automated patient records are a great idea, BUT if a Doc does not like it for some reason or is inept with computers, they are apt to take it out on customer care. Recently I visited Dr. Hussein at the Dallas VA for my annual. When I finally got to see him at 430pm for my 10am appointment, I spent 15 minutes watching him work on his terminal, then because he was running so far behind, he quickly listened to my back with his stethoscope, told me I should continue to see a civilian primary physician, and sent me on my way. BTW this cost me several hundred dollars, a good bit of which my insurance company would not pay leaving me to pick up the difference… I am still getting dollars added to it monthly along with an updated bill… which I have to pay. With my wife's insurance I pay a 30 dollar copay, and if they overcharge like the VA does, they have to accept the negotiated usual payment. The VA can go after the patient for the difference... they play by their own rules. Nothing has changed... the Feds still have us by the gonads and there is nothing to do but pay up, unless you want to risk them filing a bad credit report on you, which I do not.
Bottom line is it only works if the people in the system want it to… and they (the VA Docs and staff) clearly do not want change.
I have an idea. Lets have national health care, veterans do not have to pay in unless they opt to pay for the 'premium care' option, and turn the VAs into parking lots… game over.
The way I see it is the a computer is only as smart as the person that puts the information in it. I am all for the generalized system to help the military in reforming their healthcare since my husband is a veteran, I do find that more that half the visit to the clinic is sitting waiting for the information to go into the computer, This is suppose to prevent or improve the amount of mistakes. To the average person sitting there waiting, fear sits in because it takes so long and they are wondering why the doctor is not telling them anything.
I know this is a new system, but the military had to do something. My husband walked around for 10 years with gall bladder issues, until when finally removed it was fully engulfed with stones. It looks like they could have found that within 10 years, but a compute is not responsible for that is it?
I don't know what the answer is, but unifying the routine and contiuity of care is important. My only consern is what about all the computer hackers out there. A few years ago there was an issue where secure files were stolen, why couln't this happen again.
