Summary: 

Dawn Zieger, VP of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Geisinger Health, and our host, Chris Hemphill discuss the critical importance of improving behavioral health access in rural communities. Dawn highlights Geisinger’s innovative approach to overcoming barriers such as stigma, distance, and workforce shortages through the expansion of virtual care and the development of integrated care models. 

By focusing on patient-centered care and leveraging technology, Geisinger has been able to reduce wait times and improve access to comprehensive mental health services, even in the most underserved areas. Tune in to learn more about how they’re making strides towards more accessible mental healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

1. Expanding virtual behavioral health services has been pivotal in delivering care to rural areas where other options are limited.
2. Identifying and addressing gaps in care to ensure that services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient, regardless of their location.
3. By embodying a consumer-driven model for behavioral health care, Geisinger plans to streamline care delivery, reduce waitlists, and provide timely intervention before crises escalate