How can telehealth technologies (e.g., video-conferencing, email, mobile devices) be used to assess, diagnose, treat and manage mental health and substance use problems in the province of BC?
As part of the BC Ministry of Health Healthy Minds, Healthy People plan, the eHealth Strategy Office conducted a literature review for the Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Branch to address how to best enhance the use of telehealth services for mental health and substance use problems in BC.
The report summarizes the best and promising practices in telehealth for mental health and substance use, including service delivery models, associated policies and the evidence for their use with specific mental health disorders across the care continuum.
A few key learnings from the report:
– Newer technologies, such as email and mobile devices, are actively being studied in the telehealth for mental health and substance use problems.
– The decision to use telehealth services for mental health and substance use services needs to consider many factors (e.g., severity of the disorder and patient and clinician readiness).
– Policies to guide the use of telehealth services for mental health and substance use problems need to be complete and clearly address all legal, ethical and technological issues that may arise and should be backed by all relevant governing bodies to ensure uniform adherence.
– While technologies may come and go, it is important to continue to study their use in telehealth for mental health and substance use problems to understand the principles underlying their effectiveness to guide the adoption of the next ‘big thing’.
Download the report to learn more about the current body of evidence in this area.
Healthy Minds, Healthy People – B.C.’s 10-year mental health and substance use plan – aims to reshape how we think about, talk about, and approach mental health and substance use across the lifespan. It’s about shifting and transforming health and broader systems that influence and support the mental wellbeing of British Columbians throughout the province