Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The increased presence of technology in healthcare has led to a virtuous cycle of data-driven insights and improved care; however, mental health has yet to figure out how to make measurement based care (MBC) work at scale. The VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) is partnering with Mirah to improve active utilization of MBC as integrated into daily clinical workflow and telemental health programs. Mirah’s MBC tool, a Measurement Feedback System, is built to make insights readily accessible to all stakeholders: patients, clinicians, and clinical leadership. The system tracks treatment progress and process, medication adherence, and strengths. Methodology: The study uses a software platform that tracks symptoms and measures treatment progress. Participating patients complete behavioral health assessments online prior to each clinical session. The system provides feedback reports that drive clinical decision-making for each patient. All clinical data are interpreted in comprehensive graphical reports in real-time for the clinician and patient to review together. Results: Currently, 12 clinicians and 26 patients are enrolled in this ongoing pilot study. Implications: Completing symptom-rating scales empowers patients by helping them to more fully understand their disorder and the fluctuation in their symptom severity over time. Furthermore, the use of symptom-rating scales helps patients communicate to clinicians what is and is not working in their current treatment regimen, thus facilitating changes to their treatment plan. This fosters a sense of shared decision-making, thereby improving the quality of mental healthcare delivery, and serves as the basis for true evidence-based practice.