Why Telehealth for Substance Use Recovery?
Telehealth technology saves patients’ valuable time and money, reduces patients’ daily clinical schedule, and increases accessibility to care.
FLEXIBILITY
Telehealth allows patients to receive care, wherever they are. Patients receiving care in the State of California can continue care via telehealth regardless of their home state, guaranteeing that a continuity of care is provided, accessible, and affordable beyond their initial treatment. Flexibility lies in not just where, but when a patient receives care, giving the possibility for treatment programs to occur during the day and evening, adherent to the patient’s schedule. School, work, and life commitments can co-exist during treatment.
CLIENT RETENTION
The conveience of Telehealth goes beyond where and when a patient receives care. Without the additional hassle of traveling in person to every meeting, appointment, or 4 hour Outpatient Program, a patient’s needs are met from the comfort of their home. Client retention increases as they are more likely to prioritize their care when they are able to meet the demands of daily life and recovery simultaneously.
ACCESS
A survey conducted in 2020 found that 74% of the patients surveyed preferred access to Telehealth care services over in-person interactions with providers. Offering virtual care offers patients easy, on-demand care that doesn’t require them seek treatment elsewhere. It gives more room for treatment options and plans. Increased access allows for the continuum of care to be effortless across the United States.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Telehealth provides a safe and convenient option for receiving behavioral and mental health treatment at home. It allows for greater time management, giving the patient’s ability to attend appointments without needing transportation, taking time off work, or arranging for childcare. An increase of time management flexibility is significantly important in long-term treatment plan.
