Journal article
Provider Barriers to Telemental Health: Obstacles Overcome, Obstacles Remaining
Telemedicine journal and e-health, Vol.19(6), pp.433-437
06/01/2013
DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2013.0068
PMID: 23590176
Abstract
Many providers are hesitant to use telemental health technologies. When providers are queried, various barriers are presented, such as the clinician's skepticism about the effectiveness of telemental health (TMH), viewing telehealth technologies as inconvenient, or reporting difficulties with medical reimbursement. Provider support for TMH is critical to its diffusion because clinicians often serve as the initial gatekeepers to telehealth implementation and program success. In this article, we address provider concerns in three broad domains: (1) personal barriers, (2) clinical workflow and technology barriers, and (3) licensure, credentialing, and reimbursement barriers. We found evidence that, although many barriers have been discussed in the literature for years, advancements in TMH have rapidly reduced obstacles for its use. Improvements include extensive opportunities for training, a growing evidence base supporting positive TMH outcomes, and transformations in technologies that improve provider convenience and transmission quality. Recommendations for further change are discussed within each domain. In particular, it is important to grow and disseminate data underscoring the promise and effectiveness of TMH, integrate videoconferencing capabilities into electronic medical record platforms, expand TMH reimbursement, and modify licensure standards.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Provider Barriers to Telemental Health: Obstacles Overcome, Obstacles Remaining
- Creators
- Elizabeth Brooks - 2Veterans Rural Health Resource Center—Western Region, Salt Lake City, UtahCarolyn Turvey - 3Veterans Rural Health Resource Center—Central Region and the Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation Center at the Iowa City VA Healthcare System, Iowa City, IowaEugene F Augusterfer - 4Harvard Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery Program, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Telemedicine journal and e-health, Vol.19(6), pp.433-437
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
- DOI
- 10.1089/tmj.2013.0068
- PMID
- 23590176
- ISSN
- 1530-5627
- eISSN
- 1556-3669
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/01/2013
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Epidemiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984003944402771
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