Over 106 million people in the United States live in areas with limited access to mental health care. Nearly 21 million people are suffering from substance use disorders in our country. It’s clear that we have a major health crisis on our hands, that of which requires immediate attention and the use of more innovative tactics. Despite the rise in drug-related deaths, there continues to be an overwhelming amount of stigma surrounding substance abuse, making it difficult for some individuals to gain the courage to seek out treatment.
Healthcare providers are searching for a means to meet the needs of those living with substance use disorders and behavioral health conditions. As an efficient, convenient and less costly tool, telehealth can be especially useful for treatment. In fact, 48 out of 50 states have recently made legal changes to how care is delivered by telehealth, especially for mental health-focused treatment, speaking to its fast growth and adoption. Through delivering remote care, video conferencing helps to solve many of the complex issues with accessing care and allows for the more advanced treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. By alleviating some of these challenges, individuals will be more likely to take steps towards recovery.
Geographical location plays an important role in a patient’s ability to get care and support. Patients living in remote areas can have access to more personalized video therapy sessions, which have proven to be just as effective as in-person care at a provider’s office. Instead of traveling long distances, a patient can still continue their structured check-ins and scheduled remote treatments or touch base with addiction specialists for medication-assisted treatment via video sessions. Teleheath also allows patients to receive treatment from the comfort of their own homes. By allowing them to be in an environment that they feel safe in, it can help add to the value and effectiveness of their care.
Substance use is complex and is often brought on by a range or triggers or other underlying conditions and factors and must be treated dynamically. It is unlikely that a patient will suffer a relapse or be exposed to a trigger during their scheduled appointments with a treatment specialist. In those moments that a patient may find themselves triggered or going through a relapse, quicker access to care can be a major factor in the success of treatment. Video sessions can be used during these critical times and emergencies such as the event of a relapse. Getting in touch with a specialist can now be as simple as sending a mobile message or initiating a video session with a patient’s network of recovery supports. This allows patients to better access to care in times of need, leading to a greater chance at recovery.
With medicine being influenced so heavily by the changes in technology, it’s important that we understand what patients demand and expect from their providers, and take advantage of opportunities to improve their care. Telehealth offers many new opportunities to expand the horizons for behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment in ways that traditional delivery methods cannot.
Lua is a HIPAA compliant communication solution for healthcare organizations. Visit our website to learn more about Lua's video chat capabilities through our new Telehealth feature.
Telehealth, Increasing Access to Treatment
