Virtual Partnership Addressing Mental Health Crises: Mixed Methods Study of a Coresponder Program in Rural Law Enforcement

M Muska Nataliansyah; Kimberly A S Merchant; J Priyanka Vakkalanka; Luke Mack; Seth Parsons; Marcia M Ward

doi:10.2196/42610

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Virtual Partnership Addressing Mental Health Crises: Mixed Methods Study of a Coresponder Program in Rural Law Enforcement

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Virtual Partnership Addressing Mental Health Crises: Mixed Methods Study of a Coresponder Program in Rural Law Enforcement

M Muska Nataliansyah, Kimberly A S Merchant, J Priyanka Vakkalanka, Luke Mack, Seth Parsons and Marcia M Ward

JMIR mental health, Vol.10, e42610

03/20/2023

DOI: 10.2196/42610

PMCID: PMC10131937

PMID: 36939827

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Abstract

A mental health crisis can create challenges for individuals, families, and communities. This multifaceted issue often involves different professionals from law enforcement and health care systems, which may lead to siloed and suboptimal care. The virtual crisis care (VCC) program was developed to provide rural law enforcement with access to behavioral health professionals and facilitated collaborative care via telehealth technology. This study was designed to evaluate the implementation and use of a VCC program from a telehealth hub for law enforcement in rural areas. This study used a mixed methods approach. The quantitative data came from the telehealth hub's electronic record system. The qualitative data came from in-depth interviews with law enforcement in the 18 counties that adopted the VCC program. Across the 181 VCC encounters, the telehealth hub's recommended disposition and the actual disposition were similar for remaining in place (n=141, 77.9%, and n=137, 75.7%, respectively), voluntary admission (n=9, 5.0%, and n=10, 5.5%, respectively), and involuntary committal (IVC; n=27, 14.9%, and n=19, 10.5%, respectively). Qualitative insights related to the VCC program's implementation, use, benefits, and challenges were identified, providing a comprehensive view of the virtual partnership between rural law enforcement and behavioral health professionals. Use of a VCC program likely averts unnecessary IVCs. Law enforcement interviews affirmed the positive impact of VCC due to its ease of use and the benefits it provides to the individuals in need, the first responders involved, law enforcement resources, and the community.

Mental Health

Technology

Rural Health

mixed methods

coresponder model

telehealth

implementation

community

virtual care

Details

Title: Subtitle: Virtual Partnership Addressing Mental Health Crises: Mixed Methods Study of a Coresponder Program in Rural Law Enforcement
Creators: M Muska Nataliansyah - Medical College of Wisconsin
Kimberly A S Merchant - University of Iowa
J Priyanka Vakkalanka - University of Iowa
Luke Mack - University of South Dakota
Seth Parsons - University of South Dakota
Marcia M Ward - Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: JMIR mental health, Vol.10, e42610
DOI: 10.2196/42610
PMID: 36939827
PMCID: PMC10131937
NLM abbreviation: JMIR Ment Health
ISSN: 2368-7959
eISSN: 2368-7959
Language: English
Date published: 03/20/2023
Academic Unit: Health Management and Policy; Epidemiology; Emergency Medicine; Injury Prevention Research Center
Record Identifier: 9984380460802771

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