Article
What’s the Answer to the Shortage of Mental Health Care Providers?
From U.S. News by David Levine
The article discusses the current shortage of behavioral health care providers and outlines innovative solutions being implemented. Notably, it emphasizes the role of telepsychiatry and integrated care as means to enhance access to mental health services. The growth in psychiatry residents and the emergence of new models of care, such as telemedicine and integrated care, suggest a promising future for mental health care.
Telepsychiatry and integrated care are not just forward-thinking in terms of technology use; they are also patient-centered, offering convenience and improved patient-provider communication. The expansion of training programs for future psychiatrists shows a commitment to addressing the shortage of professionals in this field, and the support for community mental health services is instrumental in extending care to those most in need.
Here are our key takeaways from the article:
- The shortage of providers can be attributed to supply unable to keep up with increasing demand as the social stigma around mental health lessens.
- The number of new psychiatry residents grew 5.3 percent from 2010 to 2015.
- Telepsychiatry and integrated care are innovative ways to extend the mental health workforce.
- Integrated care enhances coordination between mental health care providers and primary care.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has allocated $2.9 million to train 3,500 psychiatrists in the integrated care model.
- The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program has supported the training of more than 9,000 new behavioral health care professionals.
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are being funded in 24 states.
- Assertive Community Treatment programs are being developed or expanded to improve behavioral health outcomes.
- The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program offers money and technical assistance for comprehensive, community-based mental health services.
- Despite the challenges, there are optimistic opportunities to improve the behavioral health workforce capacity and service delivery.
Excerpt
What’s the Answer to the Shortage of Mental Health Care Providers?
From U.S. News by David Levine
"Two disturbing trend lines are currently crossing in the area of mental health care. One line, tracking demand for such care, is rapidly rising. In the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 people has some sort of mental health condition, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The other trend line, measuring the number of mental health care providers in practice, is barely holding steady. A 2016 report released by the Health Resources and Services Administration projected the supply of workers in selected behavioral health professions to be approximately 250,000 workers short of the projected demand in 2025."
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