TY - JOUR
KW - COVID-19
KW - integrated behavioral health
KW - primary care behavioral health
AU - R. Rene
AU - M. Cherson
AU - A. Rannazzisi
AU - J. Felter
AU - A. Silverio
AU - A. T. Cunningham
A1 - 
AB - The COVID-19 pandemic created significant mental stressors among patients, which had the potential to impede access to primary care behavioral health (PCBH) services through rapid unplanned shifts to telehealth. The authors utilized retrospective administrative data and patient surveys to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcomes of Jefferson Health PCBH pre- and post-COVID pandemic onset (Cohort 1 in person-only visits and Cohort 2 telemedicine-only visits). Using a retrospective cohort comparison study, outcomes included number of patients receiving PCBH in both cohorts, frequency of visits, no-show and cancellation rates, change in mean PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores for patients, changes in the levels of depression and anxiety severity using established severity levels, and patient satisfaction with telehealth (Cohort 2 only). Patients in Cohort 2 were significantly more likely to have an anxiety diagnosis, had a smaller average number of visits, and were more likely to have a cancelled appointment. Both cohorts had statistically significant improvements in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores. In regression analyses, treatment cohort was not a significant predictor of final PHQ-9 or GAD-7 score. More members of Cohort 2 reported severe anxiety at both initial and final measurements. Nearly all Cohort 2 patients agreed or strongly agreed that telehealth made it easier for them to obtain care, that the platform was easy to use, and the visit was effective. Overall, PCBH telehealth services post-COVID-19 onset were feasible, acceptable to patients, and yielded similar clinical improvements to in-person behavioral health visits conducted before the pandemic.
AD - Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Comprehensive Primary Care Plus, Population Health, Jefferson Health.; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Comprehensive Primary Care Plus, Population Health, Jefferson Health.; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Comprehensive Primary Care Plus, Population Health, Jefferson Health.; Department of Counseling and Behavioral Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
BT - Population health management
C5 - HIT & Telehealth; Measures
CP - 4
DO - 10.1089/pop.2021.0292
IS - 4
JF - Population health management
LA - eng
M1 - Journal Article
N2 - The COVID-19 pandemic created significant mental stressors among patients, which had the potential to impede access to primary care behavioral health (PCBH) services through rapid unplanned shifts to telehealth. The authors utilized retrospective administrative data and patient surveys to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcomes of Jefferson Health PCBH pre- and post-COVID pandemic onset (Cohort 1 in person-only visits and Cohort 2 telemedicine-only visits). Using a retrospective cohort comparison study, outcomes included number of patients receiving PCBH in both cohorts, frequency of visits, no-show and cancellation rates, change in mean PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores for patients, changes in the levels of depression and anxiety severity using established severity levels, and patient satisfaction with telehealth (Cohort 2 only). Patients in Cohort 2 were significantly more likely to have an anxiety diagnosis, had a smaller average number of visits, and were more likely to have a cancelled appointment. Both cohorts had statistically significant improvements in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores. In regression analyses, treatment cohort was not a significant predictor of final PHQ-9 or GAD-7 score. More members of Cohort 2 reported severe anxiety at both initial and final measurements. Nearly all Cohort 2 patients agreed or strongly agreed that telehealth made it easier for them to obtain care, that the platform was easy to use, and the visit was effective. Overall, PCBH telehealth services post-COVID-19 onset were feasible, acceptable to patients, and yielded similar clinical improvements to in-person behavioral health visits conducted before the pandemic.
PY - 2022
SN - 1942-7905; 1942-7891
SP - 455
EP - 461+
T1 - Transitioning from In-Person to Telemedicine Within Primary Care Behavioral Health During COVID-19
T2 - Population health management
TI - Transitioning from In-Person to Telemedicine Within Primary Care Behavioral Health During COVID-19
U1 - HIT & Telehealth; Measures
U2 - 35196130
U3 - 10.1089/pop.2021.0292
VL - 25
VO - 1942-7905; 1942-7891
Y1 - 2022
Y2 - Feb 21
ER -