Advancing Behavioral and Mental Health Services to Improve Patient Experience

The last 18 months have been unlike any other and have presented challenges that can oftentimes feel daunting to overcome. This time has challenged healthcare systems and providers, developers and tech gurus, and cloud communication companies to ensure people have access to the medical resources they need. That has become more important than ever. 

Technology has enabled healthcare professionals to provide care to their patients remotely, in real-time and throughout their treatment, during the most challenging of times - from anywhere in the world. Whether through one-on-one video chat consultation with a trusted physician, mult-party video conferencing for group therapy, substance abuse meetings, or even AI-based health screenings, cloud communications technology has enabled providers to ensure patients receive uninterrupted medical care whenever they need it, no matter what. 

But how can providers ensure patients are able to effectively and efficiently connect? With Communications APIs, Vonage is empowering mental healthcare providers to provide their patients with access to the resources they need, the way they want, whenever they’re ready. Here are the four ways that Vonage is helping providers to put the patient at the forefront of their critical care: 

• Voice – Communicate feelings, emotions, concerns, and celebrations through powerful and reliable vocal capabilities 

• Video – Leverage the new normal by having virtual, face-to-face interactions, however patients feel most comfortable – in their favorite sweatsuit, on a long walk, with family or without

• Verify – Easily ensure that experiences are authentic, controlled, and safe through 2-factor authentication, a code sent to the patient’s phone sets up a secure and unique link just for them

• Messages – Send and receive notifications and status updates from any platform  – SMS, MMS, or social messaging apps

Practice management and EHR solution provider Therapy Brands equips healthcare practitioners with effective solutions to address the growing needs of mental and behavioral health, substance use recovery, applied behavior analysis and rehabilitation populations. A long-time Vonage customer, Therapy Brands leverages the Vonage Video API to empower healthcare providers to continue to offer patient quality of care and to support better health outcomes for those they serve through real-time video consultation and chat, creating a platform for personalized healthcare - from anywhere. 

Notes Therapy Brands CEO Kimberly O'Loughlin, "The staggering uptick we have seen in interest and enrollments regarding our telehealth services over the last 18 months is encouraging because it means that people have been able to still receive the much-needed care of their provider through virtual sessions.

By doubling-down on advancing behavioral and mental health services through APIs, health professionals have greater opportunities to assess patients remotely, in real-time and along their journey – or bring like-minded individuals together for support groups – all from the comfort and privacy of their preferred setting.  

Improving operational efficiencies can change the world and lives of many as it allows the industry to offer better patient experiences and outcomes, as well as provide more affordable healthcare.  

As a proud member of the American Telehealth Association (ATA), Vonage is committed to partnering with businesses and organizations that accelerate the adoption of telehealth to ensure that all have access to the support they need. To learn more about how to get connected, visit https://www.vonage.com/communications-apis/healthcare/.

If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately, or speak with a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area any time at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).