FRIDAY, Oct. 6, 2023 (HealthDay News) — For the mental health of pediatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, a research letter published online Oct. 6 says It has become clear that telemedicine has proliferated and continues to support a significant portion of pediatric mental health care. 3 inches JAMA network open.
Mariah M. Calmin, Ph.D., of the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, Calif., and colleagues found that utilization of telehealth, in-person, and overall pediatric mental health services for children and youth (under 19 years old) since January and expense ratios. From 2019 until August 2022. The analysis included his 1.9 million commercial insurance claims from Castlight Health.
Researchers found that while in-person pediatric mental health services decreased by 42 percent during the acute phase of the pandemic, pediatric telehealth services increased by 30 times (3,027 percent) and overall utilization compared to pre-pandemic levels. found a relative increase of 13 percent. In-person services have returned to 75% of pre-pandemic levels, and telemental health utilization has increased 2,300% from pre-pandemic levels by August 2022. During the post-acute pandemic period, in-person, telehealth, and total visit spending rates gradually increased compared to pre-pandemic levels. From January 2019 to August 2022, the utilization rate of mental health services increased by 21.7%, and the mental health spending rate increased by 26.1%. At all stages, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, and adjustment disorders accounted for most visits and expenditures.
“These findings have important implications for the sustainability of telehealth beyond the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidence mounts that telehealth can effectively deliver mental health treatment to children and youth. ,” Karmin said in a statement.
Two authors disclosed their relationship with Castlight Health.
