Title: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ariane Willhoit and Dr. Bruce Lazar, MBA, DM
Volume: 9
Issue: 8
Pages: 24-33
Publication Date: 2025/08/28
Abstract:
The uneven distribution of mental health providers poses a significant issue to underserved communities across the United States. Healthcare administrators have a unique opportunity to address these challenges by implementing strategies to help reduce emergency care visits and encourage participation in local health department programs for the continuation of care. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to explore and identify effective strategies that health administrators can implement to reduce emergency care visits and increase participation in local continuation-of-care programs in underserved populations experiencing maldistribution of mental health providers. A thorough search was completed using the academic PubMed database and the EBSCOhost platform as a general academic search tool, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Twenty-one relevant articles were analyzed thematically through constant comparison, evaluation of findings, and the categorization of key concepts. Three major themes emerged: underserved areas with maldistribution of mental health providers (48%), successful strategies by health administrators (57%), and reducing emergency department visits and improving continuity of care through local behavioral health programs (24%). The findings indicated that several effective programs, particularly telehealth services and coordination with local home visit programs, have been implemented to improve mental health access and reduce emergency care visits in underserved communities. Additionally, the overall findings provide an opportunity for healthcare leaders to coordinate efforts with policymakers to create practical guidelines that administrators can use to support care better and manage mental health crises during an emergency care visit.