Can Telemedicine Help Wounded Warriors With Recovery?

US veterans with traumatic brain injuries who require medical care and constant follow-ups now have an extra resource to make their lives easier. Thanks to the U.S. Army's Mobile Care (mCare), a telehealth pilot program, veterans with traumatic brain injuries or other serious injuries can be medically monitored by using their cell phones. Researchers at the U.S. Army's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) are using AllOne Mobile technology to determine if wounded warriors have a better recovery if they're in frequent contact with their case managers. The pilot started in summer 2009 and has 100 soldiers enrolled, but will expand to accommodate 10,000 returning soldiers in a phased implementation over the next year, according to AllOne Mobile. Participating veterans must have phones with text messaging and picture message capabilities. However, if they don't have a phone, one is provided for free. In addition, veterans who already have phones with these features, but do not have a data plan, can add one and are then reimbursed by AllOne Mobile.