- Posted
- June 08, 2012
Study finds telemedicine effective for depression treatment
A Northwestern University project has found that treatment of depression can be effectively undertaken over the phone, and patients are more likely to maintain treatment compared to those who seek in-person care (Source: “Depressed? Treatment May Be A Phone Call Away,” National Public Radio Shots blog, June 5, 2012)
After offering 18 weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy over the phone to more about 150 patients with severe depression, researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine found that only 4 percent dropped out, compared to 13 of a similar number of patients who were enrolled in face-to-face therapy.
"Often they need to travel some distance to get there," said David Mohr, the lead researcher on the project. "They may need to take time off of work, or away from their family."
Findings from the study were published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The research is the latest to highlight the potential of telemedicine to improve care. On July 25, the Health Policy Institute, through support from HealthSpot, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, is hosting “Moving Telehealth Forward in Ohio.” The event is one of few in Ohio focused on bringing together Ohio’s stakeholders and policymakers around the issue of telehealth.
