T2 Telehealth Programs

Utilizing a range of standard and innovative solutions, T2 recommends, coordinates and manages the development of an integrated DoD telehealth system for the provision of quality, patient-centric psychological and TBI health care services.

The geographic dispersion of beneficiaries creates challenges for the Military Health System in providing behavioral health care. Telehealth provides opportunities to not only leverage DoD health provider resources and increase access to care through information and telecommunication technologies, but also to cultivate new, more efficient methods of care delivery. The timely and successful integration of telehealth into the overall DoD health services system requires enterprise-wide strategies, policies, and guidance. T2 is working as a coordinating and resource center focused on the development of a telehealth network of systems across the DoD by leveraging partnerships with the Services, VA, TRICARE, and civilian providers. T2 leads this network to expand the range of services available to rural and underserved locations through the use of various treatment facilities and telehealth technologies.

Program Benefits

• Increases prevention and treatment resources to DoD beneficiaries regardless of their location or level of mobility
• Improves allocation of behavioral health providers between regional medical facilities
• Brings care to the patient and reduces travel time
• Reduces delays in care and enables continuity
• Re-conceptualizes the delivery of care

Partnerships/Collaborations

Services, VA, TRICARE, and civilian providers

Telemental Health Education and Training

T2 offers telemental health training and tools to provide military behavioral health clinicians and administrators with the essential clinical and technical skills required to clearly understand and effectively deliver telemental health services. T2 is the primary Department of Defense resource for integrating technology with psychology.

A Primer on DoD TMH Essentials

T2’s Introduction to Telemental Health presentation is a brief, overview of the primary elements of TMH delivery in the DoD. Available for download below, this introductory exploration will orient readers to the history, benefit, and clinical application of TMH as they contemplate adding this new delivery system to their practices.
   

A Complete TMH Planning and Implementation Guide

The DoD Telemental Health Guidebook is the most complete DoD-level education and reference publication supporting the expansion of TMH services in the military health care community.

The Guidebook provides key organizational, system, technical, and clinical information to help DoD health care providers and agencies understand the key processes, technologies and regulations essential to deploying a successful, effective TMH program.

TMH Resources around the Web
T2 has collected a list of military and private sector web resources to help providers and program administrators considering adding TMH capability at their organizations.

             View the T2’s Telehealth Web Resource Directory by clicking here

Deployable Telehealth Centers (DTeCs)

The Deployable Telehealth Centers play a vital role in the interconnected DoD Telehealth System of Care. T2 is also evaluating several mobile telehealth configurations to expand the scope, reach, and practice of PH/TBI care by:

• Establishing flexible and deployable mental health care platforms
• Overcoming access to care barriers particularly as they relate to stigma, geography, and mobility
• Conducting cutting edge research and developing best health care practices
• Implementing best practices through proven standard operating procedures

The Mobile Telehealth Program is comprised of both self-propelled and transportable telehealth units:

Mobile Telehealth Vehicles (MTeVs) MTeVs are self-transportable vessels and vehicles (e.g., commercial bus shell) specially designed to support telehealth services. MTeVs have an integrated propulsion system and the ability to move via transportation media. Mission is to deliver self-transportable space solutions to expand PH/TBI health care to DoD Beneficiaries who might not otherwise have access to or seek care.
Relocatable Telehealth Centers (RTeCs) RTeCs are comprised of telehealth modules (e.g., 20’ & 40’ CONEXs) that are placed on or in a vessel or vehicle for transportation.  RTeCs are modified for telehealth services and built within standardized shipping requirements.   Mission is to deliver transportable space solutions to expand PH/TBI health care to DoD Beneficiaries who might not otherwise have access to or seek care.
Modular Telehealth Centers (MTeCs) MTeCs are individual modules (e.g., TriCons) that can be coupled together to make a twenty foot equivalent container, which means they fit in a standard twenty foot container footprint.  However, once they are delivered to a location the modules can be used coupled or uncoupled.  The MTeCs can be used individually, or coupled to other Tricon versions (not just other MTeCs).
Individual Telehealth Centers (ITeCs) ITeCs are portable sound isolation enclosures that typically include ventilation, door window, cable passages, acoustic foam and a light.  The ITeC can be easily assembled by two people. Every component is designed to be of manageable weight and size. Ceiling and floor components are attached to wall components with hinged brackets. Stainless steel bolts and pre-installed threaded inserts are used to attach wall components and seam seals to one another.

Program Benefits

• Standardized size and shape makes shipment easy to reach all DoD beneficiaries, regardless of location or mobility
• Increases anonymity through technology-based services (i.e., not having to present at a clinic) may reduce fears of mental health stigma
• Allocates resources to locations where needed

Pacific Islands Mental Health and Substance Abuse Inventory

One of T2’s main missions is to broaden the reach of telehealth services so that Service Members in geographically remote areas will have access to the best psychological healthcare.

The Pacific Islands Mental Health and Substance Abuse Inventory compiles psychological health, traumatic brain injury and substance abuse resources available to Warriors, Veterans, and their Families. The inventory covers the Pacific Basin — American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Marianas Islands and Okinawa — which is a diverse and geographically isolated area encompassing nearly one-third of the Earth’s surface. These factors pose numerous challenges to providing health care services, particularly those related to psychological health and traumatic brain injury. The Pacific Islands Mental Health and Substance Abuse Inventory served as the basis for the advancement of a broad tool to map psychological health and TBI health resources available to all DoD/VA Beneficiaries around the globe. This broader tool is known as the T2 Web Resource Locator.

View All:
Pacific Islands Mental Health and Substance Abuse Inventory (2MB)

View Part:

• Introduction and resource list (787 KB)
• American Samoa (374 KB)
• Guam (473 KB)
• Hawaiian Islands (896 KB)
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (460 KB)
• Okinawa (612 KB)

Note: a PDF reader is required to view these documents.

Program Benefits

• Serve as the basis for an ongoing assessment of mental health resources available to all DoD/VA beneficiaries around the globe.
• Serve as a foundation for mental health and substance abuse program planning at the Federal, State, and Local levels.