In behavioral health, timing matters. A person experiencing a crisis can go from struggling to feeling completely overwhelmed in a matter of minutes. The faster the clinicians can understand what’s happening and connect someone to the right care, the better the opportunity to improve outcomes. As Dr. Holly DuBois, chief medical officer at Connections puts it, “A behavioral health crisis evolves exponentially, not linearly. What was a five at minute zero can be a 50 at minute two.”
That’s why earlier, more targeted treatment is important. In a recent Becker’s Behavioral Health Podcast conversation, Dr. DuBois, discussed how advances in science, technology, and research are helping clinicians deliver more precise, personalized behavioral health care.
More personalized care
Dr. DuBois described a shift away from treating symptoms alone and toward understanding the biology and complexity of mental illness. Advances in precision psychiatry, including targeted treatments, improved diagnostics, and better monitoring, may help clinicians identify the right intervention sooner, reduce side effects, and improve long-term outcomes. The goal is to help people get the care they need faster and with greater confidence that it will be effective.
Expanding access to care
Technology is also expanding access to care by closing the gap and making behavioral health services more available and response.
Telehealth allows organizations like Connections to connect individuals in crisis with the right provider at the right time, regardless of location. Emerging monitoring and engagement tools also make it easier for individuals to stay connected to care after leaving a crisis center.
AI and other emerging technologies also may help streamline administrative tasks, surface relevant clinical information, and reduce documentation burdens, allowing clinicians more time to focus on patient care. Together, these innovations have the potential to expand access, strengthen continuity of care and support better outcomes.
Where we are headed
Looking ahead, Dr. DuBois hopes the next decade brings greater clarity around what it means to live with, treat, and recover from mental illness. “I'm really hoping that with greater understanding and diagnostics that make things tangible and objective, we can finally bring psychiatry and mental health care right alongside its physical health cousins.”
Listen to the full podcast to learn more about Dr. Holly DuBois’ perspective on the future of psychiatry, including advances in precision medicine, technology, and crisis care: Holly DuBois, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Connections Health Solutions - Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis