Telephone therapy for patients with common mental health issues has grown fivefold over 2021 with almost 78 per cent reporting a low degree of psychological discomfort after four sessions, according to Teladoc Health.
Teladoc Health UK, a mental health psychotherapy service, conducted research in December 2021 to assess its telephone therapy service’s favourable impact on patients. The research found that before starting the telephone therapy, 28 per cent had low-level psychological difficulties, two-thirds of those surveyed reported considerable psychological distress and 8 per cent reported severe suffering.
But after receiving the therapy nearly four out of five people or 78 per cent were transferred to a non-clinical or low degree of psychological discomfort after four sessions.
Teladoc Health UK head of mental health services Laura Scarrone Bonhomme says: “We’ve found telephone therapy to be as effective as in-person therapy or video-conferencing. The privacy of the phone call has allowed people to open up more – and that has brought faster and better results. Many employees across a variety of industries often don’t realise they have this benefit, and the same is true of life insurance policyholders.”
Teladoc Health UK COO Guy Gross says: “I’m always hearing heart-warming stories of how Teladoc Health UK’s clinicians and self-help tools have transformed the lives of our members, whether partnering them through their toughest physical and mental challenges or simply supporting them to lead happier, healthier lives. Our services deliver incredible outcomes and experiences. We are unlocking never-before-seen opportunities in the virtual care space across the planet.”