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Ghazal KY, Singh Beniwal S, Dhingra A. Assessing Telehealth in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness and Challenges in Rural and Underserved Areas. Cureus 2024; 16:e68275. [PMID: 39350817 PMCID: PMC11440445 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.68275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The integration of telehealth into palliative care has garnered significant attention due to its potential to enhance both access and quality of care, particularly for patients in rural and underserved areas. This interest stems from the need to address geographical and logistical barriers that traditionally hinder palliative care delivery. Despite its potential benefits, the effectiveness of telehealth and the challenges associated with its implementation remain underexplored, necessitating further investigation. This study aims to critically evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth in palliative care by focusing on several key areas: its impact on access to care, symptom management, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. To achieve this, a systematic review was conducted, synthesizing data from various studies that investigated telehealth interventions within palliative care settings. The review employed a comprehensive search strategy across electronic databases, concentrating on randomized controlled trials (RTCs) published between 2014 and 2024. To ensure the reliability of the findings, low-quality and unrelated studies were excluded, and the remaining studies were meticulously analyzed for bias and methodological quality. The review's findings indicate that telehealth significantly enhances access to palliative care, allowing patients to receive timely and appropriate care without the need for extensive travel. It also improves symptom management and patient satisfaction, aligning to provide patient-centered care. Additionally, telehealth is cost-effective by reducing expenses associated with travel and in-person visits. These benefits highlight telehealth's potential to address some of the critical challenges in palliative care delivery. Despite its advantages, implementing telehealth in palliative care is not without challenges. Technological barriers, such as inadequate infrastructure and device limitations, pose significant hurdles. Integration issues, including the need for seamless incorporation into existing care systems, and varying levels of digital literacy among patients and caregivers, also impact the effectiveness of telehealth. Addressing these challenges is crucial for optimizing telehealth's implementation. Ensuring that telehealth solutions are accessible, user-friendly, and well-integrated into care practices is essential for fully leveraging its potential benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Avleen Dhingra
- Anesthesia, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, IND
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Watson T, Tindall R, Patrick A, Moylan S. Mental health triage tools: A narrative review. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2023; 32:352-364. [PMID: 36176247 DOI: 10.1111/inm.13073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mental Health Triage (MHT) tools may be defined as any clinician administered scale that specifies psychiatric signs or symptoms, proposes a corresponding service response, and determines priority categories based on the level of perceived acuity. Multiple MHT tools are used across different jurisdictions and care settings. This article summarizes the literature on MHT tools, describes the available tools and the supportive evidence, evaluates the impact and clinical applications, and compares their strengths and weaknesses. This review utilized a systematic review process to identify articles examining MHT tools. Several benefits of using MHT tools are described; however, in general, the supportive evidence for their use is lacking. A modified Australasian Triage Scale has the strongest evidence base for use in emergency settings; however, further data are needed to establish improved outcomes. There is limited evidence for the use of MHT tools in ambulatory or primary care settings. No evidence was found supporting any one tool as effective in guiding service responses across the entire clinical spectrum. Future research could focus on developing and evaluating MHT tools that service all levels of illness presentation. Additionally, more robust studies are required to support the use of MHT tools in emergency settings. Finally, there is an impetus for the development and evaluation of MHT tools in ambulatory, community, and primary care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayler Watson
- Barwon Health, Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Tindall
- Barwon Health, Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Steven Moylan
- Barwon Health, Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Service, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Anmella G, Sanabra M, Primé-Tous M, Segú X, Solanes A, Ruíz V, Morilla I, Also Fontanet A, Sant E, Murgui S, Sans-Corrales M, Martínez-Aran A, Fico G, De Prisco M, Oliva V, Murru A, Zahn R, Young AH, Vicens V, Viñas-Bardolet C, Aparicio-Nogué V, Martínez-Cerdá JF, Mas A, Carreras B, Blanch J, Radua J, Fullana MA, Cavero M, Vieta E, Hidalgo-Mazzei D. Antidepressants overuse in primary care: Prescription trends between 2010 and 2019 in Catalonia. REVISTA DE PSIQUIATRIA Y SALUD MENTAL 2022:S1888-9891(22)00137-9. [PMID: 37758595 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There has been an increase in the prescription of antidepressants (AD) in primary care (PC). However, it is unclear whether this was explained by a rise in diagnoses with an indication for AD. We investigated the changes in frequency and the variables associated with AD prescription in Catalonia, Spain. METHODS We retrieved AD prescription, sociodemographic, and health-related data using individual electronic health records from a population-representative sample (N=947.698) attending PC between 2010 and 2019. Prescription of AD was calculated using DHD (Defined Daily Doses per 1000 inhabitants/day). We compared cumulative changes in DHD with cumulative changes in diagnoses with an indication for AD during the study period. We used Poisson regression to examine sociodemographic and health-related variables associated with AD prescription. RESULTS Both AD prescription and mental health diagnoses with an indication for AD gradually increased. At the end of the study period, DHD of AD prescriptions and mental health diagnoses with an indication for AD reached cumulative increases of 404% and 49% respectively. Female sex (incidence rate ratio (IRR)=2.83), older age (IRR=25.43), and lower socio-economic status (IRR=1.35) were significantly associated with increased risk of being prescribed an AD. CONCLUSIONS Our results from a large and representative cohort of patients confirm a steady increase of AD prescriptions that is not explained by a parallel increase in mental health diagnoses with an indication for AD. A trend on AD off-label and over-prescriptions in the PC system in Catalonia can be inferred from this dissociation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Anmella
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miriam Sanabra
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Primé-Tous
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Segú
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aleix Solanes
- Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Imaging of Mood- and Anxiety-Related Disorders (IMARD) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Ruíz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivette Morilla
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonieta Also Fontanet
- CAP Casanova, Consorci d'Atenció Primaria de Salut Barcelona Esquerra (CAPSBE), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisenda Sant
- CAP Casanova, Consorci d'Atenció Primaria de Salut Barcelona Esquerra (CAPSBE), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Murgui
- CAP Comte Borrell, Consorci d'Atenció Primaria de Salut Barcelona Esquerra (CAPSBE), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Sans-Corrales
- CAP Comte Borrell, Consorci d'Atenció Primaria de Salut Barcelona Esquerra (CAPSBE), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anabel Martínez-Aran
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Giovanna Fico
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Michele De Prisco
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Oliva
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Murru
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Roland Zahn
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Allan H Young
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Clara Viñas-Bardolet
- Data Analytics Programme for Health Research and Innovation (PADRIS), Catalan Agency for Health Quality and Evaluation (AQuAS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Aparicio-Nogué
- Data Analytics Programme for Health Research and Innovation (PADRIS), Catalan Agency for Health Quality and Evaluation (AQuAS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco Martínez-Cerdá
- Data Analytics Programme for Health Research and Innovation (PADRIS), Catalan Agency for Health Quality and Evaluation (AQuAS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ariadna Mas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bernat Carreras
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Blanch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Abi Global Health, Spain; Mental Health and Addiction Programme, Department of Health, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain; President of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine, Spain
| | - Joaquim Radua
- Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Imaging of Mood- and Anxiety-Related Disorders (IMARD) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; Early Psychosis: Interventions and Clinical-detection (EPIC) Lab, Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Centre for Psychiatric Research and Education, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Miquel A Fullana
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Imaging of Mood- and Anxiety-Related Disorders (IMARD) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Myriam Cavero
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduard Vieta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain; University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Mental Health Research Networking Center (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain; Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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