Mental Health Awareness Month is in full swing and with it, a reminder of the importance of maintaining mental wellness. Across the country mental health conditions are a persistent challenge with more than 20% of adults (approximately 50 million) experiencing a mental illness every year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Factors […]
There’s an age-old paradigm when it comes to the adoption of new technology. As users move to embrace the ease and convenience that comes with technological progress, the speed at which the technology is being adopted often outpaces the practical implications around it. That leaves policymakers as well as those involved in the whole structural […]
Read More… from As telemedicine has evolved, clarity on coverage has become all the more important
Across the country, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) continues to be one of the most prevalent challenges faced by many: in 2023, 15.35% of Americans were reported to be battling substance use disorder according to data from Mental Health America. Of those, 93.5% did not receive any form of treatment. Stigma, cost, and geographical barriers have […]
The swift growth of telehealth rapidly transformed health care delivery. Flexibilities during the Public Health Emergency enabled providers to adopt new ways in how telehealth technologies can be used, ranging from text messaging portals and eConsultations to video sessions with patients or other providers. As providers and patients alike quickly adjusted to new models of […]
Read More… from Considerations for Patient Safety in Telehealth Delivery
The breadth and depth of Virginia’s mental health crisis is harrowing. According to Mental Health America, Virginia is in the bottom-third of states when it comes to access to mental health services. Additionally, the latest data from the Health Resources & Services Administration states that every locality throughout the state is experiencing a shortage of […]
Read More… from Strengthening Virginia’s Mental Health Workforce with Telehealth
The year 2023 has proven to be pivotal for telehealth, as legislators in Virginia and across the country took significant steps to ensure continued flexibility and encourage the use of telehealth services. We’re grateful to work alongside many leaders at the forefront of this movement towards a shared goal of enhancing innovative health care solutions. […]
Read More… from Telehealth Triumphs: A Recap of Wins in 2023
Each year, the Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) conducts an annual survey to better understand how Virginia’s licensed providers are using telehealth and identify areas they feel can improve. More than 10,000 health care professionals took part in both the inaugural survey in 2021 and the latest survey, which was released in 2023. This year, we found […]
Q&A: w/ Heather Anderson, Virginia Department of Health When the Virginia State Office of Rural Health began taking steps toward updating the Commonwealth’s Rural Health Plan, it took a step back to ask a foundational question: What is a healthy community? The answer to that query has helped to shape the 2022-2026 Virgina Rural Health […]
Read More… from The Role of Telehealth in Virginia’s Rural Health Plan
Nicole (Nikki) Kemp, NP-C of Bernard Healthcare Center in Rocky Mount, Va. is providing hope for her patients by talking openly about how important mental health care is to meeting the overall health needs of her patients. Earlier this year, Bernard Healthcare Center began offering free teletherapy to eligible patients of the clinic through the […]
During a recent VTN webinar Senator Barbara Favola shared insight on the current state of telehealth legislation in Virginia and where the legislature could take us in the future. She is a champion of human rights and an advocate for increasing access to quality care in Virginia via telehealth. “The General Assembly has really embraced […]
Read More… from Sen. Favola Shares Current and Future State of Telehealth in Virginia