Develop telehealth data best practices
Recommendation
Congress should fund research through the National Institutes of Health on the efficacy of mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) services provided via telehealth, with outcomes studied by service type (e.g., crisis response) and demographic groups, including underserved communities.
Background/summary
Nearly one-third of all MH/SUD visits occurred via telehealth in the second quarter of 2022 – a 45-fold increase from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Even after the worst of the pandemic passed, many providers maintained some type of virtual care with the option for hybrid services. However, data and best practices for telehealth are lacking.[2] To effectively measure the effects and outcomes of services delivered via telehealth, Congress should fund data collection and research on best practices in telehealth for MH/SUD services. Based on this information, the Department of Health and Human Services should issue guidance on best practices in providing MH/SUD telehealth services and work to establish standards for digital platforms and data collection. Best practices should be broken down by age and include criteria for determining, with patient input, the best method of service delivery (e.g., audio, video, in-person).
citations
1. Vaidya, Anuja. Virtual Behavioral Health Use Increases 45-Fold During Pandemic. Xtelligent Healthcare Media. Last Updated March 14, 2023.
2. National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Pandemic Era Telehealth Innovations In The Mental Health And Substance Use Treatment. Last Updated May 16, 2023.