In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers observed notable changes in behavioral health care access at a large New York City health center due to telemedicine. The Family Health Centers at NYU Langone transitioned to telemental health services, aiming to enhance patient access to care.
According to data collected, the number of completed appointments rose significantly in the early months of the pandemic compared to the same period in 2019. Dr. Williams led the study examining this transition, highlighting an "adjusted OR = 1.92, p < 0.001." The study found this increased likelihood of completing appointments without a decline in completion rates across different diagnostic groups.
However, the research also pointed out discrepancies, as "patients with schizophrenia were significantly less likely to complete an initial visit in 2020 compared with 2019," with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.37, p < 0.001. The study also discovered that the shift to telemental health removed previous gender disparities in appointment completion rates noted in 2019.
The research underscores the potential benefits of telemedicine, suggesting further exploration to mitigate gaps in care for specific groups such as individuals with severe mental illnesses.
