Retrieving Sensitive Patient Information: Virtual Application vs Clinician Staff
According to Mental Health America (MHA), screening for mental health has never been as important as it is now, considering the number of reported diagnoses continues to climb each and every year.
It is estimated that approximately 20 percent — or over 50 million people — of the United States adult population suffers from some form of mental illness. Moreover, nearly the same percentage of United States youth also carry the burden of mental health conditions.
Most alarmingly, data also shows that there has been an increase in over 640,000 people in the past year alone who claim that they have had serious thoughts of suicide. (Reference 1)
But what can be done to slow the spread of mental health conditions taking its toll on an increasingly large number of Americans?
Through recent studies, it has become clear that patients respond more truthfully when answering sensitive, yet pertinent information regarding their health without having another person involved — such as a nurse or other member of clinician staff. This privacy provides one with time to thoroughly reflect and answer without judgment.
However, with all of the success seen from these assessment tools, there is still some hesitancy from many providers.
Today, we are going to explore the reasons behind skepticism and the benefits of using an assessment tool — such as the MHT screener — inside your own office.
Why Is There Reluctancy from Physicians?
Quite possibly the largest barrier to promoting screening assessment tools is the reluctancy from physicians and other medical professionals.
But why is that?
According to TeleHealth, one major concern is the lack of clinical interviews, of which physicians are taught and trained to conduct in school.
During one of these said interviews, physicians learn to use their senses in order to guide their opinions.
For example:
Watching a patient’s body language when being asked difficult questions
Listening to their tone when answering
Noticing a lack of eye contact, which can determine a lack of truthfulness (Reference 2)
However, there is always margin for error. One clinician may see a patient’s body language as normal, whereas another clinician may feel uneasy about how they are carrying themselves. Sometimes it all comes down to a “gut feeling.”
This is not to imply that clinical interviews are not important and should never be done. On the contrary. A screener tool is just that — a tool. It is there to help guide you in the right direction and help you to feel more confident in your diagnosis and treatment plans.
The results from the assessment can help pilot the questions you choose to ask your patient during their appointment.
Integrating Assessment Applications into Your Practice — A Must!
In a recent medical study from JAMA Network Open, screening assessments that are self-administered appear to be the preferred option amongst patients.
Due to the combination of reluctance from disclosing sensitive information, discomfort from practice staff, and appointment time constraints, at-home screening allows patients to assess themselves via a tablet — or other electronic devices — thus removing the aforementioned barriers and improving the overall detection of at-risk behaviors.
In the same study, the number of patients who reported thoughts of self-harm and other risky behaviors almost doubled from when verbal assessments were given. Privacy, as well as the omittance of generalized or leading questions from clinicians, were mentioned as being two leading factors in receiving more accurate results.
In order to make the assessment tool used in the study efficient, the questionnaire on the tablet that was given to each patient was kept brief. The goal, which was to allow patients to finish while still seated in the waiting room, took approximately 90 seconds to complete. (Reference 3)
When you incorporate a screener tool into your practice, you:
Focus on mental health — not just mental illness
Not everyone suffers from a mental health condition, but each person does have mental health. By using a screening tool early and often, you can aid in prevention and catch any regression early. The point of focus for practitioners should not merely be for those already suffering, but stopping others from having to ever go through the mental turmoil themselves.
Meet your patients where they are
Mental health can be a touchy subject for many. And not everyone is ready to talk about their triggers or seek out help. By using a screener tool, you can create a conversation. Your patients may not realize that their mental health is of serious concern — and your approach can help them to see how important further visits to a professional can be of benefit to them.
Provide a starting point
There is no universal answer to what will help one’s mental health. What works for one person may not work for the next. And that is why it is so important to use assessment tools — it opens up a multitude of options, including referrals. Whether you see your patient benefiting from cognitive behavioral therapy or from medication, you can provide your patient with a solid starting point of treatment options. (Reference 4)
Virtual Application Data Can Retrieve Vital Results
It is no secret that healthcare professionals are overwhelmed. And, because of this, data can be overlooked or words can be paraphrased — resulting in warning signs being missed. Virtual screening tools work to prevent this oversight from happening.
In the same study conducted by JAMA Network Open, responses to the screening questionnaire were automatically transmitted to the patient’s chart — requiring a nurse to manually review each answer and accept them.
Moreover, anything of significant concern — such as answers revealing major depression or suicidal ideations — triggers a popup to appear on the patient’s chart once it is opened by the physician. This is an important safeguard, as both nursing staff and physicians cannot mistakenly skim past conditions that require immediate attention. (Reference 5)
As with the Mental Health Technologies screener tool, our results allow for a quick, but hipaa-compliant transmission of data, if warranted. For example, if a primary care physician is in need of contacting a mental health professional right away, a report can easily be sent — thus streamlining the referral process for their patient to receive the care they need as soon as possible.
Become a Part of the MHT Network
The benefits of using a virtual assessment tool can be seen at both the patient and clinician levels.
Not only is this method convenient for all parties involved, but it adds to the overall patient care you are able to provide.
The MHT screener allows you to catch time-sensitive information — such as suicidal ideations — as well as helps you to differentiate between similar conditions. Understanding one condition from another will allow you to confidently treat your patient for the correct diagnosis, thus getting them the proper treatment they need to finally break free from their struggles.
Interested in a partnership? We would love to help your practice succeed.
Contact us today to learn how we can help — and get a 30 day free trial for just reaching out.