The United States has one of the highest rates of mental illness in the world. An estimated 26.2% of Americans (18+ years in age)  will experience a diagnosable mental illness in any given year. That’s almost one in four people. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women are more likely than men to have a mental disorder. This holds true for all age groups and racial and ethnic groups.

A 2008 report showed that mental health conditions cost the US $193 billion each year. That amount reached $225 billion in 2019 and will keep increasing in the coming years. Needless to say, the US needs mental health clinics that make the most of the resources they have to provide better client service. For that, the clinics or practices must implement modern technology in all aspects of their service.

Why Modern Healthcare Is Dependent on Technology

Modern healthcare is more dependent on technology than ever before, and this trend will continue to grow as time goes on. There are several reasons for this.

Technology has been used to improve healthcare in several ways. Medical records are now stored electronically, which makes it much easier for doctors who aren’t familiar with a patient’s history or previous diagnoses to access them quickly. This reduces the amount of time each patient has to spend explaining their condition and history during an appointment, which can be especially helpful for children or people who are not comfortable speaking up about their health concerns.

Besides, the use of technology in medical procedures has also evolved. It has made the processes more efficient with lower chances of failing or going wrong.

Modern technology has impacted almost every sector of today’s healthcare, and mental health clinics are no different.

How Technology Can Benefit Your Mental Health Clinic and Provide Better Service to Clients

Here are a few ways modern technology can help your mental health clinic provide better service to its clients.

Mental Health EHR

Mental health EHR is a system that helps mental health clinics to manage their patients’ information. The system tracks all the patient details, including their diagnosis and treatment history, medication and therapy details, and any other records of interactions between the patient and the therapist.

Mental health EHRs are designed specifically for mental health clinics, so they can be easily integrated into the workflow of the clinic. They include features such as automatic reminders for appointments, customizable forms that can be used by different therapists, and secure online access for patients to share their own treatment plans with their doctors.

They also help to keep track of insurance claims, billing requirements, government regulations regarding privacy laws, and record-keeping requirements by state law.

Online Therapy Sessions

In today’s world, we are more connected than ever. This means that your clients can access therapy from anywhere in the world. Online therapy sessions allow people to speak with a therapist at your clinic from the comfort of their home, using video chat or instant messaging. This can be a great option for those who want to avoid going out or traveling for appointments, especially if they are experiencing anxiety about leaving their home.

The biggest downside to online therapy, however, is that it can be difficult for some people to open up about their problems when there’s no one else physically present in the room with them. This can make it hard for them to build trust with their therapist over time. Despite that, it’s still an efficient way for clinics to cater to a larger clientele. 

Digital Symptom Tracking

Mental health issues can be difficult to track, especially when symptoms are not always directly related to a specific mental illness. Some people may be experiencing a combination of different mental illnesses and/or symptoms, which can make it difficult for them to pinpoint exactly what is going on with their mental health.

Digital symptom tracking is a valuable tool that can help individuals with mental health issues recognize patterns in their behavior and determine whether or not they need professional help. Digital symptom tracking allows the user to record their symptoms daily and generate detailed reports about their condition over time. The reports can be sent directly to a doctor or therapist for review, so they can determine if further action is required on their part.

Digital Pills

Digital pills were approved by the FDA in 2017. However, they were never mass produced. Yet, the idea remains a feasible one and can be implemented at a later time.

These pills are a new type of medication that can be taken using a pill that has been embedded with an ingestible sensor. The sensor is designed to sense when the pill is ingested and then transmit that information to the patient’s doctor via a mobile app.

In some cases, an individual might be able to take their medication without knowing exactly when it’s been taken. This could be useful for people with severe anxiety or other mental health issues who need to avoid having any reminders of their condition.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to using modern technology in mental health practices. The effectiveness of these modern tools ultimately comes down to how efficiently you can use them. However, with a bit of effort, you and your team can easily get used to such technology and understand how to use them effectively.