Telehealth especially important in areas where mental health care is scarce

Healthcare Finance News: Telehealth especially important in areas where mental health care is scarce

A recent study found that when the nearest psychiatrist’s office is dozens or even hundreds of miles away, a virtual connection may be enough to help people living with serious mental health conditions get effective care through their local primary care clinic. Most patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or both conditions were engaged with either of two types of telehealth – Telepsychiatry Collaborative Care, where the psychiatrist makes the initial diagnosis via video and the local clinic team provides brief psychotherapy while the local primary care physician handles medication prescriptions with consultation from the telepsychiatrist; or Telepsychiatry/Telepsychology Enhanced Referral, where a psychiatrist makes the initial diagnosis and handles medication prescriptions, and a psychologist provides psychotherapy via telehealth. The study gives insights into which patients might need additional support when getting such care.