At NQF’s Annual Conference, the American Hospital Association and the National Quality Forum released a guide to help hospitals and health systems working to deliver innovative, high-quality telebehavioral health services.

Behavioral health disorders affect 44 million adults in America. Yet fewer than half of this growing population receive the treatment they need. The stigma of mental illness, the lack of coverage and inadequate reimbursement, and a significant shortage of behavioral health professionals prevent those with behavioral health needs from seeking and receiving care.

Telebehavioral health offers tremendous potential to improve patient outcomes and experience by transforming care delivery, overcoming geographic distances and enhancing access to care, particularly in underserved and rural areas or both. The guide offers actionable strategies and interventions to improve patient outcomes and enhance access to behavioral health care.

“Telebehavioral health expands access, improves outcomes and lowers costs,” said Andrew Shin, chief operating officer of the AHA Center for Health Innovation. “Whether a hospital or health system is starting a new service or strengthening existing programs, this guide provides practical guidance for scaling and sustaining innovative models for behavioral health.”

“This guide is unique because it is informed by perspectives across clinical care, technology, strategy and implementation,” said Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., NQF president and CEO. “It gives C-suite leaders, managers and front-line staff the strategies, interventions and tools needed to make smart decisions, take actionable steps and deliver quality behavioral health care to patients.” NQF members can access the guide at a discounted rate through the NQF Member Store. Please take advantage of this valuable resource today.