Lessons Learned in Implementing VA Video Connect for Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Anxiety and Depression in the Ve
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Lessons Learned in Implementing VA Video Connect for Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Anxiety and Depression in the Veterans Healthcare Administration Ursula S. Myers 1,2,3 & Sandra Coulon 2 & Katherine Knies 2 & Kelly Dickens 2 & Stephanie M. Keller 2,3 & Anna Birks 2,3 & Anouk L. Grubaugh 1,2,3 Received: 7 July 2020 / Revised: 7 July 2020 / Accepted: 14 August 2020 # This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply 2020
Abstract A top priority for the Veteran’s Healthcare Administration is improving access to high-quality mental healthcare. Mobile and telemental healthcare are a vital component of increasing access for veterans. The Veteran’s Healthcare Administration is making efforts to further broaden how veterans receive their care through VA Video Connect, which allows veterans to connect with their provider from their residence or workplace. In this mixed-methods study, successes and challenges associated with the rapid implementation of VA Video Connect telemental health appointments are examined through (1) administrative data and (2) qualitative interviews at one medical center. Within 1 year of the telehealth initiative, the number of providers experienced with telemental health increased from 15% to 85%, and telehealth appointments increased from 5376 to 14,210. Provider reported barriers included administrative challenges and concerns regarding care. Having an implementation model of telehealth champions and a team of experienced mental health providers allowed for rapid adoption of telehealth. Utilizing a similar model in other settings will further enable more veterans with depression and anxiety to have access to evidence-based psychotherapy, regardless of location or national crisis. With the dramatic increase in both training for providers as well as veteran use of telemental healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic response, future research should aim to better understand which teams were able to switch to telehealth easily versus those which struggled, along with examining system-wide and provider-level factors that facilitated continued use of telehealth after social distancing requirements related to COVID-19 were relaxed. Keywords Access to care . Mental health . Technology . Telehealth . Veteran
The demand for flexible mental health service delivery came to the forefront for healthcare industries across the globe this year as a result of COVID-19. Current projections estimate there could be as many as 1 billion telehealth appointments Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-020-00161-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * Ursula S. Myers [email protected] 1
Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center (HEROIC), Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee St, MSC 151, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
2
Mental Health Service Line, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee St, MSC 116, Charleston, SC 29401,
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