Mental health strain on providers and patients is a critical issue.[19] Easy, dependable access to appropriate behavioral health services for patients, staff, and the community is essential. In part, access to these critical services will address the needs and fears of staff as well as patients and caregivers. On-site or local behavioral health resources can be limited, but commercial on-demand access to resources/services via telemedicine (on an on-demand and scheduled basis) is widely available through direct-to-consumer telemedicine companies. Almost all direct-to-consumer telemedicine programs offer behavioral health as part of their clinical portfolio and some of these services specialize solely in behavioral health and many include crisis intervention. [20] Telemedicine can also enable healthcare systems with dispersed providers to share resources and and laid level to better meet demand when and where it is needed.
Ideas:
- Make behavioral health part of any direct-to-consumer telemedicine program/service line.
- Engage on-demand or scheduled behavioral health services by employing, staff, current local providers via telemedicine and/or on-demand providers
- Focus on addressing social engagement to reduce isolation for patients and staff.
- Provide regular training and engagement with staff to reduce stress.
- Address provider wellness and clinical support through telehealth.