mental health care

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Can Smartphone Apps and EHRs Transform Mental Health Care?

Our relationship with technology is not unidirectional. We use it, and it changes us. But it cannot alter fundamental realities regardless of how hopeful Americans are or how much faith we have in it. More and better technology is not a substitute for adequate funding and coordinated planning, especially when we’re talking about the very significant funding issues around behavioral health. Sure, we can get excited about the newest app and the latest EHR functionality, but we must also maintain a focus on meeting the needs of the mental health professionals committed to keeping our fellow citizens from falling through the cracks. Even while there is no magic in technology, there is also no reason to believe we can’t fix a broken mental health system through hard work, empathy and thoughtful planning. Time and again, our faith in those principles has been rewarded.

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Telemedicine Will Be The Norm As Care Shifts Towards Patients

Jennifer Bresnick | EHRintelligence | April 9, 2014

After nearly half a century advocating for the adoption of remote care, Dr. Jay Sanders, often dubbed the “Father of Telemedicine,” knows a thing or two about using technology to enhance the doctor-patient relationship.  

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The Patient Is Mentally Ill. Why Are We Only Treating His Broken Hand?

Nationwide, the patchwork nature of mental health care—most mental health hospitals lack electronic health records (EHRs)—drives up overall health care costs primarily through expensive emergency department (ED) visits by people who present with apparent mental health challenges. Of course, the disparity between mental and acute health care in the United States is caused by far more than a lack of EHRs in behavioral health settings. But more information enables better care and helps control costs, making it a necessary component in reforming the health care system.

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Why Obama's Mental-Health Initiatives Will Leave Many Troubled Vets Without Help

Eric Katz | National Journey | September 4, 2014

President Obama last week unveiled a series of measures to improve mental-health care for veterans, ranging from awareness campaigns to increased funding for brain chips to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.  Some advocates, however, do not believe Obama's efforts go far enough...

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Why Suicide Prevention Is Part of Population Health Strategy

Paul B. Hofmann and Jerry Reed | Hospitals & Health Networks | May 9, 2016

As hospitals and health systems recognize the need to devote more time and attention to population health management and improving community health, more effort correspondingly must be focused on behavioral health services. In response, the American Hospital Association has launched an initiative to assist hospitals with behavioral health...

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