Faculty Mentor

Rosalee Allan

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2020

Department

Health Services Administration

Abstract

Access to mental healthcare has continually become an elusive dream for many of American citizens affected by illness. Mental health disorders are responsible for the disability of a third of the adult population in the U.S. The statistics might be a little higher given that it also affects young people. These challenges call for a thorough change in the structure and practices of mental healthcare including integrating mental healthcare to the medical care system, use of technology, efficient payment approaches, and mass sensitization. Community based healthcare programs are among the many ways of sensitizing people on mental health disorders and treatment methods. They also provide a chance of taking healthcare treatment closer to the people where they can easily access the services. Adequately trained personnel, enough resources and a working infrastructure are among other factors that can improve access to mental health treatment. This study seeks to identify the challenges facing mental healthcare and establish measures that can potentially increase access to mental healthcare. A report by the Institute of medicine, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century (IOM, 2001), brought forth recommendation that can potentially improve the whole healthcare system. However, mental healthcare has various distinctive characteristic such as a differently structured marketplace, culture and care delivery system. This study examines those differences to find the applicability of Quality Chasm framework in mental health care and describes the best approach for doing so to bring the necessary changes in mental health care system. The mental healthcare system should take an advantage of technology, infrastructural changes and integration to medical care system to make sure they reach more people and avail their resources to the people who are in dire need of their services.

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