for the implementation of a national eHealth policy. The majority of member states (89%) offered education and training programs for the use of information and communication technologies, including eHealth. Although the growth of eHealth in Europe seems promising, there are no standards, policies, or legislation with oversight for this system of care. In many countries with large immigrant populations and in countries that are home to a variety of languages or dialects, local providers may experience linguistic barriers with individuals who need services (WHO, 2016). UniversalDoctor, UniversalNurses, and UniversalWoman are Internet-based programs that offer services from providers who have multilingual backgrounds. These services can be accessed through computers and applications on smartphones and tablets. The programs connect service providers who can speak the language of the individual needing care to improve access to services. In addition, there are large-text and audio functions that can help people who are blind or deaf/hard of hearing. Some of the mobile applications can be downloaded in advance so
that they can operate in areas that do not have an Internet connection. The fast development of technologies and ever-expanding applications have the potential to improve the well-being of individuals worldwide. Studies of the efficacy of telemental health services point to improvement in clinical outcomes, particularly for those who had not previously had access to mental health services (Lerman & Quashie, 2016). In the U.S. and other industrialized countries, professional organizations across a spectrum of disciplines have developed or are developing telemental health practice guidelines. In an international context, telemedicine, telemental health, and other types of telehealth technologies have been applied to many different situations, including natural disasters; war- conflicted countries; and industrial, chemical, and biological catastrophes (Doarn & Merrell, 2014). In many situations, telehealth technologies have been used in disaster responses for preplanning, such as an impending tsunami, or postdisaster, such as chemical explosions. Although teleservices cannot prevent catastrophic events from occurring, they can be used to provide support and relief to individuals who may not otherwise have access.
CONCLUSION
Telemental health services can be called different names but essentially are behavioral healthcare services that are provided using telecommunications or video conferencing technology. A range of technologies are used to provide healthcare, such as live video, remote patient monitoring, and mobile health. Clinicians can provide telemental health services in a wide array of settings, thus making the modality versatile and flexible. Providers can use telemental health to provide individual, couple, family, and group therapy. Telemental health services help to fill gaps in service to individuals who live in areas where there are limited behavioral health professionals, such as rural areas, or where barriers to accessibility exist, such as stigma and the financial burdens associated with the cost of traveling to Resources ● 50-State Survey on Telemental Health Laws in the US The 2017 survey, available online, provides information about the regulations and policies for telemental health services across the U.S. https://www. techhealthperspectives.com/2017/10/17/50-state- survey-on-telemental-health-laws-in-the-united-states- 2017-appendix-released/ ● American Telemedicine Association The American Telemedicine Association is a nonprofit organization that provides current information about improving the quality, equity, and affordability of healthcare. It offers a newsletter and video series to individuals interested in providing telehealth. https:// www.americantelemed.org/ ● Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) The Center for Connected Health Policy is an organization that seeks to develop and advance telehealth policies to promote improvements in health and healthcare systems. It provides analyses about important telehealth policy issues, engages the public and private sectors, and provides key telehealth policy resources. http://www.cchpca.org/ ● Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law The Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law (CTeL) provides information about legal and regulatory issues. It provides resources for healthcare providers, law firms, associations, universities, and insurance companies that want to better understand telehealth regulatory issues. http://ctel.org/
locations. Telemental health can be used for assessment and diagnosis as well as the provision of direct treatment. Clinicians may need to adapt current practices to better fit with telemental health, such as establishing a visual telepresence, ensuring that equipment or software meets security and privacy requirements, and meeting licensure requirements. Telemental health providers must continually meet ethical guidelines and manage emergencies and crises effectively. Although there are challenges to telemental health practice, the potential benefits to individuals who do not otherwise have access to behavioral health care make efforts to overcome those barriers worthwhile. ● Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides federal guidance on the use of telemental health and telehealth, including billing codes. It provides useful information about general requirements, fee schedules, and lists of telehealth services. https://www. cms.gov/ ● Cloud-Based Electronic Medical Record Software There are numerous HIPAA-compliant, web-based software products for storage of electronic medical records (EMR). This website offers numerous links to different services and includes ratings, type of platforms, and cost estimates. https://www.softwareadvice.com/ medical/web-based-emr-software-comparison ● Medicare Learning Network (MLN) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provides this online pamphlet of comprehensive guidelines for telehealth, including definitions of distant and originating sites and billing codes. https:// www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare- Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/downloads/ TelehealthSrvcsfctsht.pdf ● National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center The National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Centers offers a variety of services to help with technology assessment and selecting appropriate technologies for programs. It offers a monthly webinar series, telemedicine toolkits, and a video library. http:// www.telehealthtechnology.org/home
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