Leveraging Technology in Post-Disaster Settings: the Role of Digital Health/Telemental Health

Abstract

Global disasters, natural and manmade, are on the rise. As a consequence, there are increases in the health and mental health impact in the affected populations. We examine the literature on the health and mental health impact of disasters and the role of digital health/telemental health in response to meeting those needs. We examine the use of digital health/telemental health in two case examples, one of a natural disaster and one of a man-made disaster. Finally, we examine a blended telemental health model for collaboration between mental health and primary care providers in post-disaster settings. Digital health/telemental health is positioned on the cusp of the technology explosion, thus bringing much needed medical and mental health care to previously under-served populations.

The Role of Telemental Health, Tele-consultation, and Tele-supervision in Post-disaster and Low-resource Settings

“…Although mental health needs are high in low-resource postdisaster settings [24,29], high-quality mental health delivery can be challenging to provide; telemental health offers a solution to begin to narrow the gap [16,30]. In particular, teleconsultation/supervision in these settings has the potential to strengthen the mental health capacities of local communities and practitioners [31,32].…”

“…Advantages of TMH in low-resource or post-disaster settings include the opportunity to engage in cross-cultural interactions, flexibility, convenience of meeting time and place, and perhaps most meaningful of all-bringing consultation/ supervision access to people and places that would otherwise have little to no access to mental health supports and interventions [30,36,37]. As illustrated in the MSF article described previously [18•], tele-supervision not only supports frontline providers but also serves as an excellent clinical teaching/ training tool.…”

Psychosocial response to COVID‐19 pandemic in India: Helpline counsellors’ experiences and perspectives

“…Telephone counselling involves offering counselling and psychotherapy services to a similar level as provided in a face‐to‐face consultation (Campos, 2009). Telephone helplines, with their unique benefits such as easy access, anonymity and confidentiality, help break down barriers of distance, hindered Internet services, stigma or feared loss of social status, thus giving it the potential to reach even the most vulnerable groups, and making it an important service during disasters and crises (Augusterfer et al, 2018; Chavan et al., 2012; Howe et al, 2014; Peppou et al., 2020). In India, too, tele‐counselling has been advised as an apt service for better dealing with the psychosocial issues of different strata of the society, given the physical mobility restrictions (Dubey, et al., 2020).…”

User-Guided Design of a Digital Tool for Health Promotion and Radiation Protection: Results from an Internet Needs Survey

“…A previous scoping review showed that digital eHealth could improve the response to healthcare demands before, during, and after disasters [1]. Augusterfer and colleagues described cases of using digital health in post-disaster settings [2]. With an increase of global disasters, digital health services, including telemedicine, could improve post-disaster mental healthcare for under-served populations [2].…”

“…Augusterfer and colleagues described cases of using digital health in post-disaster settings [2]. With an increase of global disasters, digital health services, including telemedicine, could improve post-disaster mental healthcare for under-served populations [2]. Advances in digital technology, including mobile phones and tablets, enable global real-time connections, allowing medical care to be delivered swiftly across geographic boundaries.…”