Telehealth Usage Statistics in Mental Health Care [Unveiling the Data 2024]

by Healthful Vitality · March 1, 2024

Healthful Vitality | 02/29/2024 | Telehealth Usage Statistics in Mental Health Care [Unveiling the Data 2024].

Telehealth has emerged as a transformative force in healthcare delivery, offering innovative solutions to address access, affordability, and convenience barriers. This comprehensive analysis, titled “Telehealth Usage Statistics in Mental Health Care: Unveiling the Data 2024,” aims to delve into telehealth usage trends across specialties and specifically within mental health care, providing insights based on rigorous data and statistics.

Overall Telehealth Trends:

Data Analysis:

Researchers analyzed 475 million telehealth and in-person visits between Q2 2019 and Q3 2023. The data from 222 health systems using Epic EHRs represents over 220 million patient records from all 50 states and Lebanon.

Telehealth Usage Trends:

Telehealth usage skyrocketed during the early peak of the pandemic but has since declined, though it remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. Data reveals telehealth visits accounted for less than 1 percent of all visits in the last three quarters of 2019, jumped to 31.2 percent in Q2 2020, and dropped to 5.8 percent in Q3 2023.

Specialty-Specific Utilization:

In Q2 2020, the highest telehealth use rates were observed in endocrinology, geriatrics, transplant, and gastroenterology specialties. However, certain specialties, including orthopedics, ophthalmology, podiatry, and wound care, have consistently shown lower telehealth rates, reflecting the hands-on nature of care provided by these specialties.

Telehealth in Mental Health Care

Specialty-Specific Utilization:

Mental health remains a specialty with high telehealth usage, with 37 percent of visits occurring virtually by Q3 2023. This underscores the enduring importance of telehealth in mental health care delivery despite fluctuations in overall telehealth usage.

Role of Telehealth in Mental Health During the Pandemic:

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on the nation’s mental health, with a substantial increase in symptoms consistent with depression or anxiety disorder reported among adults in the U.S. since April 2020. Telehealth has played a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for mental health services during the pandemic.

Key Points:

Rapid Growth in Telehealth for Mental Health Care:

Research from the Journal of American Medical Association showed a significant increase in telehealth services for mental health care, from 39.4% in 2019 to 88.1% in 2022, largely due to policy changes during the pandemic.

Forms of Telemedicine in Mental Healthcare:

Telehealth in mental health care includes asynchronous telehealth (secure messaging platforms for medication adjustments and refills) and real-time telehealth (video consultations replicating in-person visits).

Advantages of Telehealth for Mental Health:

Telehealth enables remote monitoring, access to health data, and timely interventions, improving continuity of care. It also bridges geographical and physical barriers, particularly benefiting patients with physical limitations, visual or hearing impairments, or those facing isolation.

Drawbacks of Telehealth for Mental Health:

Technology issues:

Poor internet connectivity or lack of access to appropriate devices can hinder effectiveness, especially for elderly individuals or those not tech-savvy.

Limited intervention capacity:

Telemedicine may not be suitable for all health conditions and may require at least one in-person physical examination.

Privacy concerns:

Transmitting sensitive medical information electronically requires robust safeguards to protect patient information.

Insightful Statistics: Telehealth Usage in Mental Health Care [Unveiling the Data 2024]

Telephone Outreach:

Between late 2022 and March 2023, researchers attempted to contact over 1,900 outpatient mental health treatment facilities across the United States. They failed to reach anyone in more than 500 clinics, suggesting challenges in accessing mental health care.

Availability of Telehealth Services:

Among the 1,404 clinics that responded to inquiries, 87% reported accepting new patients, and 80% stated they offered telehealth services.

Disparities in Telehealth Offerings:

Private clinics were twice as likely to offer telehealth services compared to public facilities.

Equitable Access:

The availability of telehealth services did not significantly differ based on the caller’s stated mental health condition or perceived race and ethnicity, indicating relatively equitable access to telehealth services across different demographics.

Conclusion:

The data and statistics paint a compelling picture of telehealth’s pivotal role in mental health care. Despite fluctuations in overall telehealth usage, mental health remains a steadfast frontier, with a significant portion of visits occurring virtually. The surge in telehealth for mental health care during the pandemic, supported by policy changes and growing acceptance, underscores its enduring importance. Equitable access to telehealth services and ongoing efforts to address challenges like technology issues and intervention limitations will be critical in maximizing telehealth’s potential to meet the ever-growing demand for mental health services.