An article in US Medicine reported that service members returning from war with PTSD and/or TBI has been a growing concern in the military. In the article, Mike Veasey, Defense Health Services Systems principal deputy program manager, indicated that many of these service-members live in rural areas where they receive care through TRICARE's civilian network. The article highlighted the importance of these civilian physicians having the training they need to care for our veterans.

The Civilian Provider Training Portal, a pilot web portal developed by a team of PSI specialists for the TRICARE Management Activity (TMA), provides training to civilian health care providers who care for service members and veterans with PTSD and TBI. With PSI's assistance, MHS Learn delivers this training through a new front-end portal, complete with continuing medical education certificates, custom reports, and a refined Self Registration process. The pilot program is taking place for six (6) months and will then be evaluated for potential production of additional education courses to help providers treat patients suffering from disorders related to military experiences. The Civilian Provider Training Portal is also supported by Oracle Corporation's (www.oracle.com) iLearning software and On Demand services and can be accessed at www.health.mil/civilianprovidereducation.

PSI's Telehealth Team is providing training and sensitizing services to the Air Force Medical Service Office of the Surgeon General, to deliver critical care for soldiers suffering from PTSD and TBI. Under Lt Col Timothy Lacy, Chief, Telehealth and Enterprise Imaging, the PSI Team specialists are overseeing Virtual Reality Technology to provide mental health services to active duty and veteran beneficiary populations.

“As a result of our Virtual Reality Program, our triservice Wounded Warriors have gained improved access to the most advanced mental health care for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),” said Lt Col Lacy.

One method of treatment is “Virtual Iraq,” which involves exposing the patient to a virtual world that simulates the sources of combat stress. By gradually re-introducing the patient to the experiences that triggered the trauma, the memory becomes tolerable. Like the Civilian Provider Training Portal, this “Virtual Iraq” platform also can improve critical care to inflicted soldiers by better preparing and sensitizing clinicians charged with their care.

Along with its creator, Virtually Better, Inc., PSI is demonstrating this “Virtual Iraq” technology treatment and training platform at the HIMSS09 Conference in Chicago, Illinois from Saturday, April 4 through Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Click here to get a glimpse: http://www.virtuallybetter.com/.

PSI is also involved in the development of a Clinical Case Management and Disability Evaluation, under the management of the Defense Health Information Management System – TRICARE Management Activity solution, an information technology solution that will help service members and veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI. As a member of the EDS Team, PSI and its partners will develop new information technology capabilities that will enhance the management of clinical care and disability evaluation processing.

The Clinical Case Management and Disability Evaluation initiative will provide essential clinical case management information for the physician so the physician can ensure the patient gets “the right care at the right time at the right place.” This initiative will also provide the capability to standardize Department of Defense and Veterans Administration disability evaluation workflow processes across the two Agencies which will ensure our service members and veterans receive the health care and benefits they deserve.

Terry Lin, Chief Executive Officer at PSI, said, “We are proud to be an active partner to the MHS and VA in supporting our soldiers' health care needs through technology innovations.”

About Planned Systems International, Inc.

PSI has been a leading provider of IT solutions and services to federal government and private sector organizations since 1988. With headquarters in Columbia, MD and offices in Falls Church, VA and San Antonio, TX, PSI delivers a full-service, single source approach with an emphasis on its core capabilities in the areas of Systems Lifecycle Support, Healthcare IT Solutions, Network/Desktop Services, Distance Learning, and e-Business. The company continues to distinguish itself through a winning combination of people, service and integrity. Additionally, PSI is a certified Oracle Partner.

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