Healthcare delivery in the United States is in the midst of a structural shift, driven by rapid technological advancement, post-pandemic realities, and a workforce increasingly prioritizing flexibility. Telehealth has moved beyond an emergency response tool and is now a foundational component of modern care delivery. James Paterek explains that for the Department of Veterans Affairs, this evolution carries implications that extend well beyond patient access; it directly influences the VA’s ability to compete for and retain highly specialized medical professionals.

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Across federal healthcare contracting, telehealth is no longer viewed as experimental or optional. In several clinical disciplines, it has become an expected mode of practice. This is particularly evident in psychiatry and radiology, where remote care models can be implemented without sacrificing clinical quality or operational integrity.

Why Psychiatry and Radiology Are Natural Fits for Remote Care


Telehealth infrastructure can be a major asset for certain specialties; psychiatry, among other specialties, is the one that would gain the most from it. Across the virtual platform, a therapist can maintain a patient and carry out a full mental health check-up, write a prescription, and conduct the recommended therapy sessions all without losing the patient’s therapeutic rapport and continuity of care.

For rural and underserved veterans, telepsychiatry makes it possible for them to have access to treatment and medication by cutting down on travel, waiting times, and the scarcity of practitioners.

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Radiology has also taken the same path, but the reasons are different. Diagnostic imaging has been digital for many years; hence, radiologists can carry out their reading from any place that is secure by connecting through the already established PACS systems and utilizing health IT tools. In some cases, remote reading has better turnaround times and allows hospitals to have uniform coverage all over the world at varying times.

Shifting Workforce Expectations and the Role of Procurement Strategy


James Paterek understands that physician expectations have evolved alongside these technological capabilities. Many providers now consider remote or hybrid work arrangements a baseline requirement rather than a differentiating benefit. In discussions with candidates across federal healthcare programs, flexibility frequently emerges as a deciding factor in whether a role is even considered.

This trend is especially pronounced among clinicians with prior VA experience who have already practiced under telehealth-enabled contracts. For these professionals, returning to a fully on-site model can feel like a step backward. As a result, procurement decisions that do not account for telework options risk narrowing the candidate pool, prolonging vacancies, and losing experienced talent to more adaptable systems.

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Thoughtful solicitation design can help mitigate these challenges. By aligning contract structures with contemporary practice models, agencies can remain competitive without compromising oversight or care standards.

Balancing Flexibility With Operational and Fiscal Efficiency


Telehealth-enabled roles offer advantages that extend beyond recruitment. From a cost perspective, remote and hybrid models can reduce expenditures tied to relocation, facility space, and long-term overhead. They also allow agencies to recruit nationally rather than regionally, improving coverage in high-need areas and accelerating time-to-fill for hard-to-source specialties.

Retention is another critical consideration. Flexible work arrangements are consistently linked to higher provider satisfaction and longer tenure outcomes that directly support continuity of care and reduce the churn associated with repeated hiring cycles.

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Toward a More Adaptive Future for Veteran Healthcare


As the VA continues its modernization efforts, telehealth should be viewed as a strategic lever rather than a temporary accommodation. When implemented thoughtfully, it enhances access for veterans while strengthening the resilience and sustainability of the clinical workforce. Psychiatry and radiology offer clear opportunities to lead this transformation, setting models that can inform other specialties over time.

Millbrook remains focused on supporting this progression. By balancing regulatory requirements with workforce realities, we help agencies design solutions that reflect how medicine is practiced today, solutions that are flexible, fiscally responsible, and aligned with the long-term mission of delivering high-quality care to those who have served.

About the Author


James L. Paterek, a dynamic human capital & technology industry leader, is the Chief Executive Officer of Millbrook Support Services, a nationwide healthcare staffing & workforce solutions company with offices throughout the country. Millbrook, Joint Commission certified and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), supplies Physicians, Nurses, Advanced Practice Providers and Allied Health staffing services to government, education, corrections, and commercial clients across North America. Moreover, Millbrook is a GSA-Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract holder of the 621 I for Professional & Allied Healthcare Staffing Services with a geographical coverage area encompassing all 50 States including Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.

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