How to Find the Best Telemental Health Provider for Your Organization

Quick links
Key considerations for recruiting mental health professionals
How to determine the right provider type for your behavioral health program
Resources to assist with recruiting mental health professionals
Next steps for staffing your behavioral health program

Investing in virtual behavioral health connects your patients with specialists who can provide effective care while increasing access and allowing on-site providers to practice at the top of their licenses.

Keep reading to learn more about the different provider types available in a remote setting and how to recruit psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. You’ll also learn how to find the best fit for your population, organization, and care team.

Key considerations for recruiting mental health professionals

Before you get started with behavioral health staffing, there are a few questions to consider. First, do you have the patient volume to support a telehealth provider? Next, how will your population respond to telehealth?

If the volume of patients is there, and you think your population would respond well, you’ll want to consider what qualities to look for in your ideal telehealth provider.

It’s important to note that whatever qualities you look for in an on-site provider, you’ll also want in a remote provider. The only difference between in-person and remote is the variation in workflows – like the way your provider will integrate into your electronic medical records (EMR) and care team.

Here are a few qualities we think make an exceptional telehealth provider:

  • Self-starter
  • Flexible
  • Tech-savvy
  • Self-sufficient
  • Independent
  • Open communicator

An essential component in finding the right clinician type for your population is partnering with an organization that facilitates provider-matching services. As part of the provider matching process, you’ll get to do a meet and greet with your potential provider to ensure they’re a good match for your organization.

This process helps you get a good feel for how the provider presents over the computer, if they project well, and how they handle technology. All these things directly relate to how they might present to a patient.

How to determine the right provider type for your behavioral health program

Here at Iris Telehealth, we work with several provider types, including psychiatrists, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs), and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs). These providers help deliver telepsychiatry and teletherapy services to healthcare organizations all over the country.

But, how do you know which provider is best for your patients? Let’s take a look at some of the unique benefits and differentiators between these particular provider types:

  • Psychiatrists: There’s a high demand for psychaitrists because of their great depth of experience and their ability to serve as an excellent resource for mentoring care teams. Additionally, because of their knowledge and experience, patients have great confidence in MDs. On the organizational side, MDs often require more extensive support staff to help with appointment scheduling and helping patients get into their calls.
  • PMHNPs: PMHNPs are often self-sufficient and flexible. Once a PMHNP is certified, they can practice across the patient lifespan, allowing them to treat children, adolescents, adults and geriatric populations. PMHNPs also require less support staff to facilitate daily scheduling and getting patients into their calls. They carry a great depth of experience, are equipped with a wide range of specialties, and are fantastic at problem-solving and filling in where needed.
  • LCSWs: LCSWs are self-starters who think outside the box, and are excellent at helping the remote work process run smoothly. They’re excellent resources for helping out with other projects at the clinic. Additionally, they work with case managers and the rest of the care team to talk big picture for patients and the rest of the clinic. Some LCSWs are also trained in specialty techniques like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), solution-focused therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),crisis intervention model, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Resources to assist with recruiting mental health professionals

Every provider offers something unique to patient care, and are a great resource to any team. To get a deeper understanding of what each of these providers can bring to the table, be sure to check out the following resources:

Next steps for staffing your behavioral health program

Find the right provider type for your organization by working with an experienced telehealth provider. At Iris, our hiring process is in-depth, and we put an extensive amount of time into interviewing and recruiting. If someone makes it through our many levels of interviews, you can trust they’re a quality candidate.

Want to learn what you can do to get started? Contact us today to jumpstart your provider search and find an experienced, quality clinician your patients and care team will love!

Why Child Psychiatrist Dr. Manoela Denman Believes Telepsychiatry is the Future of Mental Health Care

Iris clinicians are at the heart of what makes our organization such a special place to work. That’s why we’re turning the spotlight on the amazing work they’re doing every day. This month, we’re sitting down to talk with once of our incredible child psychiatrists, Dr. Manoela Denman.

Q. What does a typical day as an Iris Telehealth provider look like for you?

A: My clinic starts a little later in the day because I work on the west coast and live in Texas. I can wake up in the morning and go to the gym, work out, come home, shower, and then start my day, which I think is the best thing ever for quality of life. I see about 10-12 patients a day. Depending on my clinic, I have a lunch break that is a little bit longer, which is also good. I get done at the end of the afternoon like most people, and then I enjoy time with my family.

Q. How do you foster connection with patients virtually?

A: That can be challenging, especially as a child psychiatrist working with kids. You try to get to know them better, ask questions about what they enjoy doing and how they are doing, and some patients are more comfortable with a camera. Some other patients are very uncomfortable, so it takes a little time to get them to be able to speak with us and open up. But usually, in most cases, we’re able to connect pretty well.

Q. As a healthcare professional, how do you manage work-life balance?

A: I get to work out early in the morning, which is very rewarding. I get to spend time with my family, and working from home really allows me to do so much more than when I had to drive to the clinic and spend the entire day there. That’s what made me stay with Iris and continue working via telemedicine – I just completed four years with Iris. I really enjoy having all this flexibility and ability to spend time with family and get everything I need to get done during my day and still work an eight-hour shift. That is definitely a good thing.

Q. What are your biggest learnings from your time at Iris?

A: One of the things that I had to learn was how to work from home on my own. Even though I’m interacting with people over the computer or the phone, one of the things you kind of lose from working remotely is the interaction with others at the office. You have to make sure you maintain a connection with the staff. Although you’re far from them, it’s important to maintain that connection by chatting here and there and asking about their lives. It’s also important to maintain your social relationships outside of work.

Q. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A: The most rewarding thing about being a child psychiatrist is helping people early on in life and helping change their trajectory so they don’t have to struggle with depression for years and years and get treatment later on. Sometimes there are experiences that they’re going to lose or miss. However, by helping them at an earlier age, we’re able to make sure that they can still finish school, go to prom, enjoy things, play the sports they want to play, and be more successful adults.

Q. What do you love about working with Iris?

A: One of the things I really enjoy about Iris is the way they treat their providers. One of the reasons I ended up signing with Iris was a very small gift I received. I was interviewing with different companies and had a pretty good offer from another company. I was thinking about working with them. But after my interaction with Adam, who was the VP at the time, I changed my mind. We talked very briefly about the things I like to watch, and at that time, I was really into “Better Call Saul.” Although I was not even going to stay with Iris, Adam Hemmen sent me this little gift, and I still have it here on my desk. I thought it was the cutest thing.

That’s what Iris is, always making sure they keep us in mind, sending us small gifts at Christmas or other times. It’s not really about how much it costs, but that they’re remembering and treating us nicely and making sure that we’re happy working here. That’s really, really important.

Q. Why do you think telepsychiatry is important to the future of mental healthcare?

A: In the last four years of working with telepsychiatrists, I realized that there are not many psychiatrists, especially in smaller areas or towns. Telepsychiatry can make sure that people anywhere can get help. That’s very, very important. Of course, meeting somebody in person is amazing, and it’s a different connection, but it’s not possible. We don’t have that many psychiatrists, and we don’t have psychiatrists everywhere. Through telepsychiatry, we’re able to ensure that if you need help and are interested in getting help, you’re going to be able to get it.

At Iris, we believe our providers should be respected, valued, and applauded for the work they do, and we couldn’t be more proud to say, “thank you” to our very own Dr. Manoela Denman. If you’d like to learn more about working for Iris Telehealth, contact us today.

Mental Health in the Black Community: Ways to Increase Care and Access

Quick links
How providers can address mental health in the Black community
How organizations can address mental health in the Black community
How telehealth can help address mental health in the Black community
Resources and education opportunities for providers
How Iris Telehealth can help

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), only one in three Black adults with mental illness receive treatment, compared to 40% of white adults. Additionally, there has been a recent spike in depression and anxiety among Black Americans amid protests and racial trauma. Discrimination continues to be a significant source of stress for Black Americans, with 48% reporting discrimination as a stressor.

When thinking about mental health in the Black community, it’s important to put into perspective how their experiences are impacted by culture and history. While the civil rights movement of the 1960s ended the visible racial and ethnic barriers enabling segregation, racism still exists today, often in more hidden forms like healthcare inequality.

Organizations can work to address these inequalities by helping create better access to mental health support and providing more culturally competent care. Keep reading to find new resources and strategies your organization can use to better support the mental health of Black Americans in your community.

How providers can address mental health in the Black community

Studies consistently show that Black Americans are often undertreated and misdiagnosed. According to a report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Black and Hispanic patients receive inferior care compared to white adults on 40% of quality measures. These quality measures examined effective treatment, care coordination, and affordable care.

To help improve care and prioritize this population’s well-being, here are a few best practices you can implement to provide effective support and communication:

  • Proper screening and follow-ups: The Black community is 20% more likely to experience a serious mental health condition, like Major Depressive Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Proper screening and thorough assessments allow Black patients to combat undertreatment and misdiagnosis. Implementing proper screening could improve treatment for mental health problems and reduce disparities in care.
  • Be conscious and mindful: Recognizing personal biases in treatment can enhance patient care. A patient who notices a provider’s implicit bias could feel less inclined to engage with their provider. By integrating culture and family history and addressing the significance of your patient’s background into the treatment of your Black patients, you can drastically improve quality of care.
  • Educate yourself: Learning about the population you’re treating should be ongoing. By taking deliberate and conscious action, you can help address inequalities, grow your own awareness, and improve as a provider overall.

How organizations can address mental health in the Black community

As a healthcare organization, creating an environment where Black Americans receive culturally competent care is vital. Here are several different ways your organization can ensure your Black patients get the care they need and deserve:

  • Train a workforce that resembles the patient population: According to the American Psychiatric Association, only 2% of psychiatrists identify as Black. Some Black patients may feel they can better connect with a provider who shares their same background and can identify with their specific cultural stressors. By training a workforce that can relate to the experiences of Black American patients, you can help improve cultural competency. Regardless of similarity in ethnicity, compassion and cultural competency are crucial when treating patients from all backgrounds.
  • Engage with the community: In an article by the American Medical Association, they highlighted seven ways to improve Black health in mind and body. One of these ways was for those in healthcare leadership to engage with the Black community and meet them where they are by attending community events, partnering with community leaders, and working to dispel the distrust against medical establishments. Outside of a medical environment, leadership can focus on making connections with the community, staying open, and being transparent.
  • Address social determinants of health: Organizations can seek strategies to connect patients to community and government resources. Some strategies could include care planning, partnering with community organizations, or linking patients with resources to fulfill their needs. A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) can provide this type of support specifically to individuals by connecting them with necessary resources in their community.
  • Incorporate telemental health: Adopting telehealth can be a great tool for Black patients. For some people, getting the care they need can be difficult due to transportation issues, caregiving responsibilities, or the obstacle of finding a culturally competent provider. Telehealth can connect patients to the care they need by helping them work with a specialist regardless of where they’re located.

How telehealth can help address mental health in the Black community

In 2020, a study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania reported that 33% of Black patients’ appointments were completed via telemedicine. Additionally, this study showed that Black Americans used telemedicine more often than non-Black patients.

While this population faces many challenges, from stigma to lack of culturally competent care, technology can help promote better mental health care. Here are a few ways telehealth can help:

  • Telehealth connects patients to culturally competent care: Telehealth can connect Black patients to providers who can better understand their experiences and provide cultural sensitivity. No matter where they are located, black patients can find someone who can provide high-quality mental health care for them.
  • Telehealth offers flexibility: For some patients, the flexibility of receiving care from a remote location, like their home, can bring many benefits. Telehealth usage for Black Americans could help prevent stigma, increase flexibility for busier patients, and better manage their health. Black Americans can feel at ease knowing they have options to manage their mental health.
  • Telehealth improves outcomes: Utilizing telehealth can enhance patient outcomes. It allows providers to work with caregivers and improve clinician workflows. According to Health Recovery Solutions, the best patient outcomes come from a balance of patient engagement, clinician satisfaction, and healthcare resources. Black patients can receive the best care possible when they’re engaged in follow-ups, chronic condition management, and medication management.

Resources and education opportunities for providers

There are many resources available for providers and organizations looking to learn more about offering enhanced mental health care for Black Americans.

Here are a few to help you get started:

How Iris Telehealth can help

Whether you’re an organization looking to implement telehealth into your practice or a clinician looking to provide care to specific populations, Iris Telehealth can help. We can help you provide culturally competent care and connect your patients with their best provider match. Contact us today to learn how you can implement an effective and culturally competent telepsychiatry program.

The Staying Power of Telehealth

Quick links
Telehealth bridges care gaps
Telemedicine use among Americans
Rules and regulations related to telehealth
Telehealth satisfaction by numbers
How Iris Telehealth can help

During the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, many providers, organizations, and patients turned to telehealth as a way to deliver and receive mental health services. In fact, by 2022, more than 1 in 5 Americans were using telehealth to receive care.

But is telehealth here to stay for the long haul? We think so. Telehealth has become the new normal and will continue to impact the behavioral health space with its ability to provide effective, quality care and create greater access for those who need mental health treatment. Keep reading to learn about the impact of telehealth, new rules and regulations making telehealth available to more people, and how telehealth has positioned itself as a mainstay in healthcare.

Telehealth bridges care gaps

One of the central reasons we believe telehealth is here to stay is because of its ability to improve access to care for people facing transportation and financial challenges or those encountering obstacles related to stigma and race. Expanded access is especially impactful for patients living in rural areas as telehealth allows them to connect with high-quality care even if there’s not a provider living in their geographical region. For those from different cultural backgrounds, telehealth can reduce discomfort and increase understanding of cultural nuances.

Telehealth enables organizations to draw from a large provider pool, allowing patients to connect with providers who address specialized needs, speak the same language, or have similar cultural experiences. This connection through telehealth offers a better understanding between the patient and provider, leading to better health outcomes.

Telemedicine use among Americans

Another positive sign of telehealth’s staying power is recent data on usage and the benefits it brings to specific populations. No matter what type of provider and where individuals are located, telepsychiatry meets Americans right where they are.

Patient populations who stand to benefit the most from telehealth include:

  • Older adults: Many older adults experience barriers to access, have unnoticed behavioral health conditions, or other medical conditions that might need attention on top of their mental health. Among adults aged 50-80, telehealth usage jumped from 4% in May 2019 to 26% in June 2020.
  • LGBTQIA+: LBGTQIA+ adults and youth can be impacted by discrimination in healthcare settings. The offering of remote care delivery can help them receive non-discriminatory care from a safe location. Telehealth offers privacy and security for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who might be faced with stigma. With 60% of LGBTQIA+ youth reporting that they wanted to receive mental health care in 2020, telehealth can be one solution to ensure they receive the care and support they need.
  • Rural Americans: Rural Americans can face stigma as well, especially when there can be a lack of anonymity in their communities. With one-third of Americans worrying about others judging them for seeking mental health treatment, telepsychiatry offers an opportunity for rural communities to receive the same level of care as a metropolitan area without the stigma involved.
  • Mothers: According to a recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), 60% of women had telemedicine visits in the past two years. Women are more likely to use telehealth in a post-COVID world. The convenience of virtual care can be beneficial for women who are caregivers, or for those who reside in a health professional shortage area (HPSA).

Recently, telehealth has been recognized at a policy level – underscoring how crucial this platform is to people’s well-being. After COVID-19 started impacting communities across the country, telehealth restrictions loosened. Millions of patients could meet with their healthcare providers via a smartphone or another digital device. And this level of access has continued.

New bills from the executive branch could point to telehealth usage expanding. The latest Omnibus Bill that President Biden recently signed will put at least $10 billion into behavioral health in 2023. The bill will extend telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries, buprenorphine deregulation, and put more money towards expanding workforce development programs in the behavioral health space.

With the healthcare landscape changing at a policy level in a post-pandemic world, the future of telehealth is likely to create impactful change in access and delivery of healthcare.

Telehealth satisfaction by numbers

By the numbers, patients and providers are widely satisfied with the benefits and convenience that telehealth delivers. Here are a few key ways telehealth is making an impact:

  • Patient satisfaction: One of the largest benefits of telepsychiatry is patient satisfaction and experience. A new study about patient satisfaction showed that 63% of patients had their medical and social needs met by their providers over telehealth. These results indicate that patients are satisfied with the care they receive when using telehealth.
  • Convenience: Another survey conducted by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) says that Americans value the convenience associated with telehealth. The results noted that 69% of Americans prefer telehealth services over in-person care for convenience.
  • Provider satisfaction: Telehealth offers excellent value to providers. The American Medical Association (AMA) states that providers have enjoyed using telehealth, as 85% of providers agreed that it increased the timeliness of care, and 70% were even motivated to increase telehealth use for their patients.
  • Accessibility: Telehealth serves as a bridge between patients and providers. According to a study conducted by McKinsey & Company, providers have been seeing 50 to 175 times more patients via telehealth than before the pandemic. More providers using telehealth means more patients can be seen. Telehealth benefits both patients and providers by allowing more patients to get through the door without missing their appointments.
  • Health outcomes: Telehealth opens communication between providers and patients, leading to better health outcomes. This communication can help patients take better care of themselves and be more proactive with their health. Medical Economics shares that 93% of patients would use telemedicine to manage prescriptions and 91% of patients would use telemedicine to adhere to appointments.

How Iris Telehealth can help

Iris Telehealth can help you meet your organization’s behavioral health goals by making the implementation of a telepsychiatry solution as easy as possible. We believe integral to the future of behavioral health, offering many benefits for your organization, patients, and clinicians. Contact us today to see how our telepsychiatry services can help your team provide high-quality care for your patients.