The 96th Medical Group began a new telehealth innovation, the accelerator, designed to eliminate barriers to patient care and make care more accessible and convenient.

By offering video visits for select conditions, patients can receive care without traveling or risking exposure to illnesses. The accelerator also improves patient appointment efficiency for patients with busy schedules, mobility challenges, or long commutes.

“Telehealth increases the amount of care we can perform outside the clinic,” said Maj. Brant Bickford, Air Force Materiel Command medical director. “From addressing acute illnesses to follow-ups for physical therapy, we can meet patient needs more efficiently while reducing no-shows and cancellations.”

Access to mental health clinic appointments improved 60%, wait times decreased by 46%, and no-show rate decreased by four percent using the new accelerator program, over the past four months, according to Bickford. Additionally, internal medicine increased same-day appointment availability by 25% using video urgent care sessions and updated scheduling.

For more information about the accelerator telehealth program or to schedule an appointment, call 850-883-8600.