"Our goal is to 'future proof' by preparing for not only today’s public health emergencies but also emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and other diagnoses of public health significance. "
The Vermont Clinician Support Initiative
Mobilizing Public Health
The Vermont Department of Health partnered with VisualDx to provide its clinical support system to all physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in Vermont.
Approximately 2,000 clinicians used VisualDx to make more informed decisions. They also had access to timely public health alerts, infectious disease reporting, and other state-specific updates.
The first time I used VisualDx was for a MyChart encounter in which a patient had been seen out of state and the rash on their hand still was not healing. They sent a picture and I used VisualDx to diagnose herpetic whitlow. It was on the joint and was not a typical presentation so was not thought of when she was seen previously.
—Dr. Mariani, UVMMC family medicine physician
We know the many challenges our healthcare professionals face and this clinician support initiative was in direct response to support those challenges:
- Easing burnout by providing intuitive tools
- Supporting patient engagement with shared decision making.
- Preventing the spread of infectious disease with a new and easy way to report communicable diseases to the department of health
- Strengthening our clinician community as we can all encourage collaboration between clinicians and students on one platform used uniformly across the state.
- Supporting health equity by ensuring every patient has access to the best decision-making tools that improve the care of all Vermonters, no matter the gender, race, age, ability, or geographical region.
VisualDx particular helps me identify my more vague cases. The ease of using the platform in particular helps me to quickly navigate what my diagnosis will be as well as therapy and patient education. Particularly helpful with dermatological cases, the photos provided are an excellent resource for learning as well in helping me gain more knowledge that field.
—Grace, Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner at UVMC
Health Equity Resources
VisualDx shares The Vermont Department of Health’s commitment to health equity.
About VisualDx
VisualDx is a healthcare informatics company headquartered in Rochester, NY. VisualDx began in public health over 20 years ago assisting the CDC and state, city, and county public health departments with bio-preparedness following the spread of anthrax in the US mail. Its strategy then, and now, is “dual use.”
By providing a useful knowledge resource for medicine addressing day to day clinical care the Vermont Department of Health can also share critical public health information in the context of this useful clinical resource.