TeleHealth

This course presents behavioral health providers with knowledge of the challenges, adaptations, and strategies for best practices when using telebehavioral health with Tribal and Native populations. Telebehavioral health (TBH) services are an emerging modality for providing behavioral healthcare that significantly benefits the treated population. This course will explain how these benefits are particularly salient among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. You will learn that AI/AN populations are great candidates for TBH in certain circumstances. There are some instances where TBH is not a good fit as well. You will learn how virtual modalities can allow AI/AN populations to access healthcare that might not otherwise be easily accessible to them.

Telebehavioral health (TBH) is a critical tool in behavioral health care delivery. Among many benefits, it enables expanded access to services for those in need and, in certain settings and circumstances, it may even deliver higher quality care in a more effective manner than treatment provided in person. For this reason, it is important for behavioral health providers to holistically consider and evaluate the role TBH has (or could have) in their clinical practice and to utilize evidence-based information and strategies to make decisions on how to best incorporate it.

This course offers participants the opportunity to do just that. Through the provided content and activities, they will explore the history of TBH and its importance in improving access to care, especially for individuals in remote areas. They will also learn how to initiate and manage TBH services, with a focus on setting goals, enhancing provider-client interactions, leveraging modern technologies to improve clinical outcomes, and maintaining compliance with crucial legal, regulatory, and ethical considerations. Client engagement strategies are emphasized throughout to help participants support their clients in gaining comfort and competence with using TBH technologies, while ensuring proper privacy and safety protocols are utilized. After completing this course, participants will have a strong foundation of knowledge and skills to implement TBH services in a manner that is effective and appropriate for their individual practice.