American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC): Provision of Telemental Health Before and After COVID-19 Onset This study aimed to examine the organizational characteristics associated with telemedicine services provided by mental health care organizations before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. This study found that telemedicine availability in mental [...]
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 [...]
JAMA Network Open: Rates of Primary Care and Integrated Mental Health Telemedicine Visits Between Rural and Urban Veterans Affairs Beneficiaries Before and After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic A study in JAMA Network Open tracking telemedicine visits pre- and post-pandemic across the VA reveals increasing inequities between rural and urban communities. Before the [...]
Spine Journal: Utilization and Satisfaction Remain High Even After Easing of COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions This study aimed to define telemedicine utilization rates during and after the initial height of the COVID-19 lockdown period and to determine patient satisfaction with telemedicine during and after the initial height of the COVID-19 lockdown period for spine patients [...]
Annuals of Medicine: Adaptation of the Tele-Harm Reduction Intervention to Promote Initiation and Retention in Buprenorphine Treatment Among People Who Inject Drugs The Tele-Harm Reduction (THR) intervention is a multicomponent, telehealth-based and peer-driven intervention to promote HIV viral suppression among people who inject drugs (PWID) accessing a syringe services program (SSP). This study examined buprenorphine initiation [...]
Telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances when the practitioner and the patient have not had a prior in-person medical evaluation (RIN: 1117-AB40)Drug Enforcement Administration Notice of Proposed RulemakingPublic comments due March 31, 2023DEA Resources: Rule Text Highlights for Medical PractitionersDEA Summary ChartSee companion buprenorphine rule summary hereProposed Rule OverviewThe Ryan Haight Act of 2008 directed the [...]
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on buprenorphine via telemedicine encounter, a summary, and highlights for medical practitioners. The proposed rule amends the DEA’s regulations, in concert with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), on the circumstances under which individual practitioners are authorized to prescribe schedule [...]
American Hospital Association: Health Care Disruption An American Hospital Association (AHA) report examines seven of the biggest disruptors to enter the primary care space. Specifically, the report highlights Walmart's telemedicine work, which emphasizes convenience in making care appointments. Additionally, Walmart offers tele-behavioral health services.
Health Affairs: Many Clinicians Implement Digital Equity Strategies to Treat Opioid Use Disorder Maintaining access to care via telemedicine was critical for treating opioid use disorder (OUD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study found that in March 2022, 77 percent of clinician respondents reported implementing digital equity strategies, such as audio-only telehealth, to [...]
National Association for Behavioral Healthcare: Telehealth is Effectively Augmenting Traditional Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs The National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH) Education and Research Foundation and Manatt released an issue brief that highlights how telehealth services effectively augment traditional partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). Results from the [...]