5 technology trends that are revolutionizing mental health care

Like many other industries, technology is revolutionizing the behavioral health care industry. It’s changing how clinics practice, how patients receive care and how researchers receive data. These enhanced technology solutions are paving the way for a better understanding of mental well-being. Here are five key tech trends at the forefront of behavioral health care.

Telepsychology health

There are many factors that can prevent an individual from seeking care — it could be apprehension, long-distance travel or disability. The new trend of telepsychology, however, is making mental health care more accessible. Telepsychology uses mobile devices or webcams in lieu of traditional face-to-face therapies. While this treatment is relatively the same as in-person therapy, it has opened doors for many, especially in rural areas, and has broadened the scope of available treatments.

Text crisis centers have also experienced great success in providing help to those in need. This mode of communication is different than telepsychology, as it is available 24/7, versus scheduling a webcam call with the therapist. Some nonprofit organizations offer this form of crisis intervention free of charge. A person in need simply sends an SMS text message to the organization’s number and is connected to a crisis counselor.

While crisis counselors may not be licensed professionals but rather volunteers, they have experienced much success in helping a person regain balance, allowing the user to better cope with life situations.

Multi-location and multi-entity financial visibility

Many behavioral health care organizations are growing rapidly against a backdrop of vast regulatory changes. Leaders in behavioral health can find it a challenge to monitor performance and keep financial processes running smoothly, especially when multiple locations are involved.

Cloud-computing products can greatly improve medical accounting — from general ledger and keeping track of accounts payable and receivable to purchasing, cash management and reporting. Medical accounting software automates the entire procure-to-pay cycle with the industry’s most complete and cost-effective cloud-based medical accounting software.

More companies are seeing the value of these products because they integrate disparate data from multiple systems, eliminate painful spreadsheet-based financial consolidation processes and accelerate monthly closes, all while gaining new insight into the financial and operational performance of growing health care organizations.

Mobile app development

With over 2.5 billion people in the world using smartphones, clinicians and researchers believe bringing therapy into the digital world can provide the following unique benefits:

• Convenience: Treatments take place anytime, anywhere
• Beginner’s care: It’s a good first step for those who have avoided therapy in the past
• Anonymity: Treatments can take place without involving others
• Cost-effectiveness: Some apps are free or cost less than seeing a licensed professional

These apps, once installed on your smart device, allow the user to text the chatbot and discuss what they are experiencing, and the chatbot responds back, using the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, emotion-recognition and conversational flows scripted by psychologists.

Therapeutic use of virtual reality

Most people are familiar with virtual reality goggles that are used for entertainment and video games. However, VR is now playing a role in treating schizophrenia and phobias, as it is the perfect way to provide exposure therapy in a safe environment. Exposure therapy is used to treat disorders, exposing them to the feared object or situation to overcome their distress often used to help those who suffer from fear of elevators, public speaking, heights and PTSD.

Content services

Behavioral health providers have a tough order to fill and are always looking to improve patient care and produce quality outcomes. Most behavioral health care providers are focusing on delivering patient-centered care — care that is respective and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs and values. Delivering this type of care is not as easy as it sounds. It depends on having the right information at hand when and where it’s needed most. A robust health care content services system is necessary to deliver true patient-centered care.

Disparate and disconnected data does not inform or provide insights. Many leaders in behavioral health are searching for true digital transformation to help manage progress notes, discharges, assessments, diagnostic test results, admissions, claim forms and medication lists. There is a huge need for technology that aggregates these various types of content stored in multiple systems throughout an organization. Content services can present information into a single, customizable view that may be accessed from within the core health information systems your users rely on every day.

Are you a leader of a behavioral health organization looking to incorporate enhanced technologies within your business? Contact LBMC today for more information.

Jeff McCorpin is the CEO of LBMC Technology Solutions at LBMC, a premier Tennessee-based professional services firm, headquartered in Brentwood. Contact Jeff at jmccorpin@lbmc.com or 615-309-2452.