Guidelines and recommendations about virtual mental health services from high-income countries: a rapid review

Abstract

Objectives This study reviewed existing recommendations for virtual mental healthcare services through the quadruple aim framework to create a set of recommendations on virtual healthcare delivery to guide the development of Canadian policies on virtual mental health services.Design We conducted a systematic rapid review with qualitative content analysis of data from included manuscripts. The quadruple aim framework, consisting of improving patient experience and provider satisfaction, reducing costs and enhancing population health, was used to analyse and organise findings.Methods Searches were conducted using seven databases from 1 January 2010 to 22 July 2022. We used qualitative content analysis to generate themes.Results The search yielded 40 articles. Most articles (85%) discussed enhancing patient experiences, 55% addressed provider experiences and population health, and 25% focused on cost reduction. Identified themes included: screen patients for appropriateness of virtual care; obtain emergency contact details; communicate transparently with patients; improve marginalised patients’ access to care; support health equity for all patients; determine the cost-effectiveness of virtual care; inform patients of insurance coverage for virtual care services; increase provider training for virtual care and set professional boundaries between providers and patients.Conclusions This rapid review identified important considerations that can be used to advance virtual care policy to support people living with mental health conditions in a high-income country.