In response to the overwhelming demand for mental health care and the shortage of specialized providers, Wolters Kluwer Health has launched Rx Transitions for Mental Health for UpToDate® Pro. This innovative medication management tool is designed to support primary care providers (PCPs) with prescription tapering and titration decision-making, now available with an UpToDate Pro subscription.
The mental health care landscape in the U.S. is currently strained, with 72% of the population living in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals. Studies indicate that PCPs are at the forefront of mental health services, treating 60% of people with depression and writing 79% of prescriptions for antidepressants. Wolters Kluwer's new tool aims to alleviate some of the pressure on these providers by offering fast access to mental health tools and decision support.
Rx Transitions for Mental Health provides healthcare providers with detailed decision support for switching antidepressants, including guidance on tapering off existing medications and titrating new ones. Clinicians can choose from various medications and doses, as well as specify the timeframe for transitioning between medications. This tool helps create a plan for guiding patients through the medication-switching process, allowing schedules to be printed or copied into clinician notes. This not only saves valuable transcribing time but also facilitates collaborative discussions with patients.
In addition to Rx Transitions for Mental Health, Wolters Kluwer Health has published a Point of Care report tailored for healthcare organization administrators. This report addresses the significant shifts in today’s mental health services landscape and covers topics such as:
• Understanding health leaders’ roles in improving access to mental health services
• Costs of unaddressed mental health care and potential returns with strategic investment
• Promoting environments conducive to addressing mental health challenges
• Strategies for implementing mental health care in primary settings
• Supporting clinical and drug referential content within workflows
By providing these tools and insights, Wolters Kluwer aims to empower primary care providers and healthcare organizations to better manage the increasing demand for mental health care. The comprehensive approach ensures that providers are equipped with the necessary resources to offer effective and timely mental health services.
Download the “Mental Health in Primary Care” Point of Care report for more.
Click here to read the original press release.
