Embedding Dermatology in a VA Geriatric Primary Care Clinic

The authors describe an exportable dermatology specialty care model to
address aging veterans’ needs for same-day appointments.

U.S. health care and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration, are transforming a fragmented health care delivery system to a cohesive Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) known in VA as the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). A PACT encompasses care coordination among health care team members maximizing veterans’ health outcomes and access to other services. In particular, timely specialty care availability can be problematic.