An ad hoc planning committee will plan and host a 1.5-day public workshop to facilitate a discussion focused on patient-centered methods to optimize timely access to high-quality healthcare for veterans.

The meeting will feature invited presentations and discussions on topics that may include:

• The evolving concept of access to health care services;

• The potential for digital communication modalities to diminish geospatial and temporal gaps in patient care;

• Case studies of effective methods and workforce to optimize access to care for complex conditions such as cancer, mental health disorders, and other time-sensitive care needs;

• The development and implementation of technologies and algorithms to help identify patients with escalating health care needs and to prioritize their access to primary care, mental health care, and specialty care;

• Tools and methods to measure the quality and impact of access to healthcare services; and

• Ways to optimally utilize the assets available within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), such as Patient Aligned Care Teams and telehealth, to facilitate veterans’ access to health care

The planning committee will develop the agenda, select and invite subject matter experts and discussants, and moderate the discussions. A designated rapporteur will develop a proceedings in brief of the presentations and discussions at the workshop in accordance with institutional guidelines.