Virtual Behavioral Health Treatment
Virtual health, often referred to as telehealth, has been used in clinical settings for many years. There has been a recent rise in its use in many areas of medical practice since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual health is the use of two-way, interactive technology to provide health care and facilitate patient-provider interactions. In behavioral health, virtual health has the potential of helping with the significant treatment gap by making services more available and convenient.
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General Benefits of Virtual Health
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For Practices:
• Reaching underserved populations
• Ability to see more patients
• Delivering more preventive care
• Offering more affordable care services
• Strengthening patient relationships
• Decreasing likelihood of no-shows for appointments
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For Patients:
• Not having to travel to an appointment
• Not waiting as long to be seen for an illness
• Limited risk and exposure to infection
• Saves time and travel expenses
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Virtual health options should be considered as an alternative to in-person services for these reasons.