Telebehavioral health has been proven to be a productive means of expanding behavioral health care at or above the level of care offered by in-person behavioral health services.
For Behavioral Health Consumers:
Using Technology in the Delivery of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment in Rural Communities: A Review
Some of the most promising advancements in the delivery of rural health care services have been in the area of telecommunication technology. These applications have the potential to reduce the disparities in the delivery of substance abuse and mental health services between urban and rural communities.
Telecounseling for the Linguistically Isolated: A Pilot Study With Older Korean Immigrants
A high level of completion (86%) and overall satisfaction with the program were observed. Participants also exhibited a significant reduction in depressive symptom severity shortly after completion of the program. At the 3-month follow-up, the participants’ depressive symptom scores remained significantly lower than those at the initial assessment. Implications. The findings support the value of telecounseling for linguistically isolated populations and suggest further efforts to extend such programs.
Efficiency and Growth of Telemedicine
I notice that even the hardest kids enjoy the technology, they understand it and the two-way interaction is very helpful. In fact, I think some of them prefer talking this way. We have some very difficult situations and I’m convinced that at least one child would be dead now without this program.”
For Organizations That Offer Behavioral Health Care
Telebehavioral health “Coverage” to a Rural Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Short-term coverage of rural inpatient psychiatric units for purposes of vacation, training, and illness is possible using telebehavioral health. Psychiatrist’s efficiency and consistency are enhanced with instantaneous connections possible from hospital, office, or home.
Agreement between telebehavioral health assessment and face-to-face assessment for Emergency Department psychiatry patients.
73 patients presenting in the ED were enrolled after initial screening. Patients were interviewed by a psychiatrist either face-to-face in the ED or remotely by video….The results provide preliminary support for the safe use of telebehavioral health in the ED to determine the need for admission to inpatient care.
Telebehavioral health Proves Crucial Adjunct in Primary Care
Under the guidance of the specialists back at the university, clinicians in the telemedicine-based group were more likely than their practice-based counterparts to give patients information about depression or its treatment, ask them about symptoms, or ask if they were adhering to treatment.
Together, at 12 months, they achieved greater reductions in depression symptom severity, better response and remission rates, and better quality of life than the local, practice-based staff did.
Patients in the telemedicine model were also seven times more likely to report treatment response and 12 times more likely to achieve remission than were the practice-based patients”
Telebehavioral health and School Mental Health
With the increasing challenges related to shortages in child and adolescent psychiatrists, it is critical to develop models of care that can maximize a full range of mental health services for all children and adolescents who need them. Telehealth offers an innovative distance technology strategy to effectively and efficiently provide access to psychiatric services in schools.