Use of Reimbursed Psychology Videoconference Services in Australia: An Investigation Using Administrative Data

Wilson, Alexandra; Moretto, Nicole; Langbecker, Danette; Snoswell, Centaine L.

doi:10.1016/j.vhri.2019.07.007

Cited by 14 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…However, even before the COVID-19 period, women tended to access these services at higher rates. 10 The low utilisation of telehealth items among older Australians aged 65 years may be due to both lower technological confidence and less digital inclusion. 11,12 Jurisdiction differences are likely to reflect digital infrastructure variation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of telehealth mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Jayawardana

Gannon

2021

Aust. Health Rev.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, specific mental health telehealth services in Australia have been an important source of help for the increasingly stressed population. This study examined trends in the uptake of telehealth items for mental health during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic using administrative Medicare data. During the peak of the pandemic there was a 50% reduction in the in-person consultations for mental health but also a substantial increase in uptake largely of the newly introduced temporary Medicare Benefits Schedule telehealth services. Further, the use of telehealth varied across age, gender and state/territory. These findings have important implications for the allocation of resources for telehealth, both now, and into the post-COVID-19 era.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of telehealth mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Jayawardana

Gannon

2021

Aust. Health Rev.

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“…1 Originally, telehealth enabled easier access to specialist services for people living in rural and remote areas throughout Australia. [1][2][3] Psychologists and psychiatrists were among some of the earliest adopters. They were assigned some of the first telehealth item numbers, introduced through the Australian national health fund, the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increase in telemental health services on the Medicare Benefits Schedule after the start of the coronavirus pandemic: data from 2019 to 2021

et al. 2022

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Objective. To describe the change in telemental health service volume that resulted from the introduction of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers in 2020 for services provided by psychologists and psychiatrists in Australia for a 3-year period, from January 2019 to December 2021. Methods. Quarterly MBS activity and cost data for mental health services provided by consultant psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and psychologists between January 2019 and December 2021 were extracted from the MBS statistics website. Data were grouped by profession and delivery mode (in-person, telephone or videoconference) and reported using activity counts. Descriptive analysis and interrupted time-series regression analysis were conducted. Specific descriptive explorations were also conducted for psychiatrists, including: new client consultations, review or general consultations, and group consultations. Results. The delivery of mental health services by telehealth (telemental health) during the pandemic has increased (P < 0.0001). When the pandemic started in March 2020, telemental health services provided by psychiatrists and psychologists increased from a combined 1-2% per quarter to 29% videoconference and 20% telephone in quarter two 2020. After the onset of the pandemic, videoconference remained the primary form of telehealth for these professions. However, the telephone accounted for approximately a third of the telehealth activity after the new item numbers were introduced. Conclusion.Telemental health services are more likely to be conducted by videoconference than by telephone. The observed increase in telehealth service activity confirms how crucial appropriate funding models are to the sustainability of telehealth services in Australia. The growth in telehealth was used to support people with mental health conditions in Australia.

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“…Early reports also showed how people in isolation actively sought online support to address mental health needs, which demonstrated both a population interest and acceptance of this medium. 20 Additional telehealth services have been previously funded by the Australian Government (Better Access Initiative program), to address mental health needs of rural and remote patients during emergency situations, 21 such as long-term drought and bushfires. In response to COVID-19, the Australian Government has responded with additional funded services through the Medicare Benefits Schedule, enabling a greater range of telehealth services to be delivered, including telehealth consultations with general practitioners and specialists.…”

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confidence: 99%