Background: Telemental health interventions have empirical support from clinical trials and structured demonstration projects. However, their implementation and sustainability under less structured clinical conditions are not well demonstrated. Introduction: We conducted a follow-up analysis of the implementation and sustainability of a clinical video teleconferencebased collaborative care model for individuals with bipolar disorder treated in the Department of Veterans Affairs to (a) characterize the extent of implementation and sustainability of the program after its establishment and (b) identify barriers and facilitators to implementation and sustainability. Materials and Methods: We conducted a mixed methods program evaluation, assessing quantitative aspects of implementation according to the Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance implementation framework. We conducted qualitative analysis of semistructured interviews with 16 of the providers who submitted consults, utilizing the Integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in the Health Services implementation framework. Results: The program demonstrated linear growth in sites (n = 35) and consults (n = 915) from late 2011 through mid-
Clinical videoconferencing can extend the reach of collaborative care models for bipolar disorder. The next step involves assessment of the videoconference-based collaborative care for other serious mental health conditions, investigation of barriers and facilitators of broad implementation of the model, and evaluation of the business case for deployment and sustainability in clinical practice.
We briefly frame challenges and steps to overcoming those challenges in delivering care for patients with bipolar disorder via telehealth or telephone during COVID‐19. Telehealth provides an invaluable opportunity to provide care for patients even under circumstances of social isolation. The issues discussed in this debate are intended to guide and assist clinicians, both in assessment and intervention, in adjusting to the use of virtual care for patients with bipolar disorder.
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