The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession have negatively affected many people's mental health and created new barriers for people already who have mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Nearly 40% of people report anxiety and depressive-related symptoms during the pandemic.
QHSLab has launched the Q-Scale Assessment for patients suffering from potential undiagnosed mental illnesses. "Q" stands for Quality of Life, and the Q-Scale measures a patient's responses (or early "warning" signs) to questions regarding their sleep, stress, anxiety, worry, pain, and overall life satisfaction. The Q-Scale is a digital health 10-item questionnaire designed to measure psycho-emotional factors in patients at risk of mental health issues. Five categorical ratings are available for response to each item, ranging from "none of the time" to "all of the time."
If responses to the Q-Scale indicate potential mental health troubles, patients are directed to the Kessler 6 questions within the assessment to identify their risk of anxiety and depression for further clinical evaluation. Responses then categorize the patient as "at-risk" for mental health issues, including depression. Then the simple-to-read report will inform the treating physician of the need for more focused evaluation during their encounter with the patient. Finally, patients are provided with a comprehensive yet easy to interpret report based on their responses, providing supportive self-management strategies to improve their coping skills and wellbeing.
There is a critical need for telehealth and remote patient monitoring services - especially for mental health concerns. For example, anarticle in MobiHealth News cites arecent health research survey of Americans across various demographics and found that only 4% of baby boomers saw a therapist or psychiatrist in a typical year, compared to 16% of Generation X respondents and 20% of millennials. The article also noted that baby boomers are less likely to see therapists or psychiatrists, despite the growing need during the pandemic. Telehealth could help lower those barriers to care.
Addressing mental health concerns is critical to a patient's whole health - and stress, anxiety, and distress are inextricably linked to chronic physical conditions, including allergies. The article also cites that "there's an epidemic of boomers going undiagnosed for conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD and more – conditions that can exacerbate heart diseases and other ailments, which become increasingly prevalent and serious with advancing age."
There is becoming a clearer correlation between stress and allergies, developing the evidence base linking the two conditions. According to Harvard-affiliate Dr. Ahmad Sedaghat noted that the impact of stress and allergies is two-fold, both psychological and physical. "Stress amplifies our emotional reaction to any symptoms we are having. Stress can make the allergic response worse. We don't know why exactly, but we think stress hormones can ramp up the already exaggerated immune system response to allergens."
A study conducted by Drs. Diaa El-Din Mohamed El Hennawi, Mohamed Rifaat Ahmed, and Alaa Mohamed Farid evaluated the relationship between persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR) and stress and the impact on a patient's overall quality of life. The 166 patients with persistent allergies were analyzed using the Kessler Distress Scale, a baseline assessment of 10 questions that evaluate a patient's emotional state, using a "five-level response scale." Of the 166 patients surveyed, 73.5% were positive on the Kessler Scale, citing conditions of emotional distress, demonstrating a clear correlation between allergy suffering and a patient's emotional health. The group also noted that "when stress is well controlled, allergic rhinitis symptoms improved, and patients noted a better quality of life."
The Q-Scale aligns with CPT code 96136, which is used when tests are administered by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. It is defined as "psychological or neuropsychological test administration/scoring by a physician or other qualified healthcare professional, two or more tests, any method." By offering practical, preventative solutions to primary care physicians, the frontline of healthcare can focus on preventive care while addressing chronic conditions and ensuring that mental health care is addressable to everyone, regardless of age.
Book your complimentary demo and info session about billing using the Q-Scale tool in practice.
