Health Care–Related Practices in Virtual Behavioral Health Treatment for Major Depression Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Medical Care: Health Care–Related Practices in Virtual Behavioral Health Treatment for Major Depression Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study found that the shift to virtual health care resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic led to positive outcomes related to engagement for patients with depression and those in need of behavioral health care. Researchers found that in two of the three health care systems, antidepressant medication orders declined during the peak-pandemic period. However, during the recovery period, the number of orders returned to pre-pandemic levels. They found no noticeable changes in patient fulfillment rates related to antidepressant orders between the three time periods. For more information, see the accompanying press release.