title: A Comparison of Mental Health Diagnoses Treated via Interactive Video and Face to Face in the Veterans Healthcare Administration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compares the mental health diagnoses of encounters delivered face to face and via interactive video in the Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We compiled 1 year of national-level VHA administrative data for Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12). Mental health encounters were those with both a VHA Mental Health Stop Code and a Mental Health Diagnosis (n=11,906,114). Interactive video encounters were identified as those with a Mental Health Stop Code, paired with a VHA Telehealth Secondary Stop Code. Primary diagnoses were grouped into posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, drug use, alcohol use, and other.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In FY12, 1.5% of all mental health encounters were delivered via interactive video. Compared with face-to-face encounters, a larger percentage of interactive video encounters was for PTSD, depression, and anxiety, whereas a smaller percentage was for alcohol use, drug use, or psychosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providers and patients may feel more comfortable treating depression and anxiety disorders than substance use or psychosis via interactive video.
authors: 1 Central Arkansas VA Healthcare System-MIRECC , Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors: Kathleen M
authors: KM
authors: Grubbs
authors: 1 Central Arkansas VA Healthcare System-MIRECC , Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: Fortney
authors: 1 Central Arkansas VA Healthcare System-MIRECC , Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors: Tisha
authors: T
authors: Dean
authors: 1 Central Arkansas VA Healthcare System-MIRECC , Little Rock, Arkansas.
authors: James S
authors: JS
authors: Williams
authors: 2 Yale School of Medicine , New Haven, Connecticut.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Godleski
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008603:Mental Health; D013685:Telecommunications; D017216:Telemedicine; D058014:Veterans Health
keywords: behavioral health; technology; telecommunications; telepsychiatry