Mental Health Access to Care: Nurse Practitioner–Led Telehealth Practice

Expansion of full practice authority for nurse practitioners (NPs), coupled with the evolving use of telemedicine, can improve access to care. This project sought to gain a better understanding of how an NP-led integrated telemedicine practice provides access to mental health care in Maryland. Two hundred seventy-five patient zip codes were compared with Health Resources and Services Administration mental health shortage areas. Results showed the reach of the practice extends to 67% of all counties in the state, providing care to 69% of counties with the highest mental health needs. NP-led telemedicine practices can expand statewide access to care, and findings will help target high-need areas not currently served.