Telehealth Innovations: Mental Health Support Through Video Consultation in Primary Care
Telehealth Innovations in Mental Health
The PROVIDE model of video consultation is setting a new standard in the treatment of mental health issues, specifically addressing anxiety and depression in primary care patients.
Study Overview
The study, published in The BMJ, involved 376 adults aged 18 to 81 years, who were randomly assigned to either the PROVIDE model or usual care. Researchers aimed to evaluate whether the integrated video consultation could provide significant benefits in managing mental health disorders.
Key Findings
- The PROVIDE model led to a decrease in severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms, with an adjusted mean change difference of -2.4 points on the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale at 6 months.
- At 12 months, the decline in symptoms was sustained, showing an improvement of -2.9 points.
Implications for Primary Care
This encrypted video consultation method presents a promising alternative to traditional therapy, bringing essential mental health support within reach of primary care patients.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.