Use of technology for care coordination initiatives for patients with mental health issues: a systematic literature review

Abstract

This systematic literature review investigates the use of technology for the coordination and management of mental health care with an emphasis on outcomes. Searches of MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE were conducted between January 1, 2003, and January 4, 2018, to identify articles that assessed patient outcomes associated with care coordination, evaluated technology to improve care, or discussed management of mental health care using technology. A total of 21 articles were included in a qualitative review based on the recommendations set forth by the PRISMA statement. Among the various health technologies, electronic health records were most commonly used for care coordination, with primary care being the most frequent setting. Care coordination was shown to provide easier patient access to health care providers and to improve communication between caregiver and patient, especially in cases where geographic location or distance is a challenge. Barriers to coordinated care included, but were not limited to, insufficient funding for health information technology, deficient reimbursement plans, limited access to technologies, cultural barriers, and underperforming electronic health record templates. In conclusion, many studies showed the benefit of coordinated and collaborative care through the use of technology; however, further research and development efforts are needed to continue technological innovation for advanced patient care.

Keywords:

• serious mental illness
• schizophrenia
• depression
• collaborative care
• behavioral health
• health information technology

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by ODH, Inc. (Princeton, NJ, USA). Editorial support for the preparation of this manuscript was provided by Mayur Kapadia, MD, of C4 MedSolutions, LLC (Yardley, PA, USA), a CHC Group company, with funding from ODH, Inc.

Disclosure

Erin Falconer is an employee of ODH, Inc.; David Kho was an employee of ODH, Inc. at the time the work was done. John P Docherty is an employee of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.