AHRQ Impact Case Studies

Discussion in 'Healthcare Reform Discussions' started by anonymous, Nov 27, 2017 at 7:42 PM.

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  1. anonymous

    anonymous Guest

    AHRQ Impact Case Studies

    As many as one in five older adults experience mental health concerns that are not a normal part of aging (Life Senior Services, 2017). When presented, medical treatment usually helps in stabilizing the patient. However, seeking mental health with seniors is an ongoing issue that requires additional interventions. When the elderly are not diagnosed, underdiagnosed, or not treated for mental illness, it affects not only the patients but their caregivers and families.

    Case Study Focus and the Results of Implementing a New Practice

    This article focuses on how Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO), the telehealth program used at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York is used to treat seniors for mental health in rural areas. The program extends the health care workers with new innovative techniques and health care that is evidence-based by seeking the advice of mental health specialist in surrounding cities and states through virtual (telehealth) centers. The model was created by AHRQ grantee Sanjeev Arora, M.D., a professor of medicine at the University of New Mexico (AHRQ (2017).

    With the implementation of this program. Primary care doctor has access to medical personnel that can help them recognize the signs of mental illness in their elderly patients while relaying those behavioral uncertainties to a qualified behavioral specialist for proper care and advice for treatment.

    Contrast the Outcomes of the Study with Current Industry Standards

    Only a limited amount of studies have scrutinized mental disorders, in spite of its significance. This oversight is vital, given worries about the impending damaging effects of telehealth on clients. This worry embraces the greater burden of work on patients and amplified sense of seclusion for vulnerable people by reducing face-to-face contact with healthcare professionals (NCBI, 2013).

    Evaluate if these Practices could be applied to your Organization

    The adult outpatient mental health facility that I use to work for would benefit from this program. Our clients participate in individual and group sessions that are conducted by specialist educated in mental health therapy. In mental health, treatments have to be specially designed through plans to help the patient obtain the optimum level of stabilization. By seeking the assistance of an advanced and more experience behavioral specialist, one can help a client in ways that have not been as productive.

    Conclusion

    The number of mental illness cases has increased over the years, but with the implementation of the telehealth program, seniors in rural areas experiencing mental issues now have access to qualified behavioral care.

    References

    Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2017). Telehealth project helps address mental

    health needs among rural elderly in New York State. Retrieved from

    https://www.ahrq.gov/policymakers/case-studies/201703.html

    Life Senior Services (2017). 10 Facts about mental health and aging. Retrieved from

    http://www.lifeseniorservices.org/seniorline/10_Facts_About_Mental_Health_and_Aging

    .asp

    NCBI (2013). Effect of telehealth on quality of life and psychological outcomes over 12 months:

    Nested study of patient reported outcomes in a pragmatic, cluster randomized controlled

    trial. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3582704/