Thread by @Shaltalk

🧐🧐🧐 Thread: Every wondered why the use of #technology is not well-integrated in the #mentalhealthcare system? This paper provides insights, and calls attention to the need for strategic, visionary, coordinated, and stakeholder-engaged leadership...Summary Tweets Below: 1/

https://twitter.com/ymhtech_smjtech/status/1392152146523664394

We reviewed 22 #healthpolicy documents from all Canadian provinces and territories published between 2011-2019 describing their vision, strategy, action plan, for improving #mentalhealthcare 2/

We analyzed the extent to which each #healthpolicy document mentioned the use of technology in relation to the delivery of #mentalhealth services 3/

We found that technology was addressed in every #healthpolicy document, but to a varying degree. Only a few referred to the use of advanced technologies such as #virtualreality and #apps, with many primarily refering to #phone services (eg #helplines) 4/

There was also inconsistency in the use of technology-related terminology across the #mentalhealth policy documents 5/

There was limited strategic focus and guidance in the #policy documents on how to implement technology-enabled services within the public #mentalhealthcare system. 6/

This review indicates that #technology has not been given much attention in #mentalhealth policy and may at least in part explain why patients and public have limited access to a range of technology-enabled mental health services (beyond #videochatting). 7/

The #COVID19 pandemic has spotlighted the need for an integrated, coordinated, and comprehensive continuum of #digitalhealth services for patients and public seeking mental health care from #referral to #appropriatecare. 8/

Hopefully, a future review will show a more integrated and clearly outlined role for technology within #mentalhealth policy and practice 9/

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