@unpublished{pittir38960,
           month = {April},
           title = {Video Directly Observed Therapy for Active Tuberculosis- A Policy Review},
          school = {University of Pittsburgh},
          author = {Megan Kerbag},
            year = {2020},
        keywords = {n/a},
             url = {http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/38960/},
        abstract = {Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly infectious and, sometimes, highly pathogenic disease. Without treatment, one active case of TB will easily spread through a community. Halting the spread of TB is of vital public health importance because the disease puts a large burden on patients, their families, and the health system. 

Health departments must monitor medication intake for people with active tuberculosis disease. Directly observed therapy (DOT) is the traditional method to monitor active cases. The method requires patient-provider contact on a daily basis and is highly effective, but time and resource intensive. 

Video directly observed therapy (VDOT) is an alternative to DOT and uses video calls to monitor medication adherence. This approach has many advantages including increased patient satisfaction, improved privacy, decreased costs, and decreased staff burden. The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) currently employs DOT, but will benefit by offering VDOT. ACHD is equipped to handle the increased privacy, security, and equity concerns that must be managed with a new VDOT policy.}
}