About this episode

Dr. Matthew Kaufman discusses improving healthcare for individuals with IDD through telemedicine and specialized training.

Dr. Matthew Kaufman discusses his journey as an emergency physician who recognized significant gaps in healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including lack of training, overreliance on emergency departments, and frequent unnecessary testing and hospitalizations. He explains how these challenges led to the creation of StationMD, a telemedicine service providing 24/7 access to specialized clinicians who can quickly assess patients, guide caregivers, and often resolve issues without ER visits—reportedly in over 90% of cases. The discussion highlights the importance of specialized training, better integration between healthcare and home support systems, and the role of simple, accessible technology in improving outcomes, increasing independence, and reducing costs. Kaufman emphasizes that empowering caregivers, improving provider education, and giving individuals with IDD more autonomy in their healthcare are key to achieving better, more equitable health outcomes.

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Matthew Kaufman

Topics covered

• telemedicine
• intellectual and developmental disabilities
• healthcare access
• specialized training
• caregiver empowerment
• health outcomes

Keywords

• telemedicine
• IDD
• healthcare
• emergency physician
• caregivers
• specialized clinicians
• health outcomes
• autonomy
• technology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: StationMD, IntellectAbility

More episodes of IDD Health Matters

• Ep 150: Empowering Learning: Building Inclusive Skills for Adults with Disabilities · June 1, 2026 · 21 min
• Ep 149: Why 'Not Acting Right' Signals Hidden Health and Life Issues in IDD · May 25, 2026 · 57 min
• Ep 148: Putting People First: The Power of Person-Centered Care · May 18, 2026 · 19 min
• Ep 147: Leading with Compassion: Building Inclusive, Person‑Centered Supports for People with IDD · May 11, 2026 · 23 min
• Ep 146: Dental Care Without Borders: Reaching Refugees and People with Disabilities · May 4, 2026 · 23 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the IDD Health Matters podcast page.