The pandemic forced us to rely on digital technologies for a range of activities in our daily lives, including work, school, and healthcare. This shift raised important questions about how effectively we do these activities through technology: can workers work just as effectively remotely versus in an office? Can students learn online just as well as they can in the classroom?
The same questions applied to healthcare as telehealth visits saw an increase in utilization during the pandemic. However, new research conducted by CirrusMD provides evidence that for patients with anxiety and depression disorders, telehealth can be an effective way to improve their overall wellbeing.
Researchers with CirrusMD recently concluded a 6-month study of its telehealth services for patients with anxiety and depression. The study evaluated changes in the health outcomes of patients who received treatment via telehealth using 2 questionnaires and patient-reported outcome assessments: the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). These were used to measure changes in a patient's overall well-being related to depression and anxiety, respectively.
Clinically significant, positive changes in a patient’s well-being were recorded. For example, responses to the PHQ-9 questionnaire showed a nearly 8 point change in score, showing patients had moved from moderate-severe to mild ratings regarding their depression.
CirrusMD is a digital telehealth provider that helps patients access physicians and other medical professionals when they need them.
"In the time it usually takes to get an appointment with a traditional brick & mortar mental health professional, patients using our telemental health services are already getting better," said Dr. Elishia Oliva, MD, psychiatrist and specialty medical director at CirrusMD. "My role is focused on creating innovative ways to expand access to care and provide effective mental health services to more patients. What's exciting about this study is that we're able to demonstrate that by receiving care sooner — from qualified physicians via a well-designed virtual program — patients can get better faster.”
Source: PR Newswire