How can technology solve behavioral healthcare issues?

Dr. Zenobia Brown, SVP of Population Health Care Management and associate CMO at Northwell Health, previews a HIMSS23 session on the use of technology to advance behavioral healthcare. Technology has the potential to revolutionize the way behavioral healthcare issues are addressed, treated, and managed. Here are some ways technology can help:

• Telemedicine: Telemedicine allows healthcare providers to offer virtual consultations and treatments, which is particularly useful for patients who live in remote areas, have mobility issues, or face other barriers to in-person care. It can also help reduce the stigma associated with seeking treatment for behavioral health issues.
• Mobile Apps: There are several mental health apps available that help users manage symptoms, track moods, and receive support. Many of these apps use evidence-based approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help users develop coping strategies and improve their mental health.
• Wearable technology: Wearable technology such as fitness trackers and smartwatches can help individuals monitor their physical activity, sleep patterns, and stress levels. This information can be shared with healthcare providers to help them make more informed decisions about treatment and care.
• Online support groups: Online support groups allow individuals to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. This can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of community.
• Machine Learning: Machine learning can be used to analyze large datasets to identify patterns and predict outcomes. This can help healthcare providers tailor treatment plans to individual patients and improve the overall effectiveness of behavioral healthcare interventions.

Overall, technology has the potential to make behavioral healthcare more accessible, affordable, and effective. However, it's important to recognize that technology should be used in conjunction with traditional healthcare services and not as a replacement for them.