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We all know that the use of telemental health increased drastically during COVID. The question is, will it continue or will practitioners return to traditional practice.
This is an interesting article discussing telemental health patterns during and after COVID 19.
Use of Telehealth in Mental Health (MH) Services During and After COVID-19
Community Mental Health Journal volume 57, pages1244–1251 (2021)
Summary Points:
- Greater desire to use telemental health delivery after pandemic than during.
- One to one care is the most common use
- Multi-disciplinary – less likely
- Group therapy – less likely
- Video is preferred over phone
- Perceptions of delivery
- Phone is easier,
- Phone is more affordable
- Phone is more accessible to clients
- Greater intent to use phone vs. video
I teach an online strategic planning class. We discuss when and how to use strategy planning decision making methods. The first thing we talk about is distinguishing perception from reality. As a matter of fact the phrase, “Perception is the enemy of reality” is one of those great truths. If you are using a map and your starting point is wrong, you will be in big trouble. Business of all kinds, especially healthcare delivery related, have gaps in what decision makers perceive and what is real in their organization or units. In the case of telemental health delivery; is the perception of a phone encounter being easier, affordable, and accessible a reality? If it isn’t, your telemental healthcare delivery strategy may be less effective.
The authors of the article looked at this as a self realizing prophesy.
The key is to close the gap between perception and reality in your practice. We hope the NBCC BC-TMH training has led you to be more open to delivery systems that are very familiar in today’s market with both practitioners and patients. Video conferencing is common and growing at a dramatic rate. The easier, more affordable, and more accessible gap has closed.