Current State of Electronic Consent Processes in Behavioral Health: Outcomes from an Observational Study

Abstract

An integral element of value-based care is care team access to both physical and behavioral health data. Data release processes in both environments are governed by federal and state statutes. The requirements for obtaining consent are complex and often confusing. Little is known about the consent processes and practices in the behavioral health setting, specifically how patients and surrogates engage in the process and their interactions with electronic consent tools. This study analyzes the consent processes from the patient perspective at two community behavioral health clinics. Outcomes include description of the processes using electronic consent, workflows and consenter-provider interactions. Conclusions include need to streamline and standardize consent technologies and improve consenter engagement. This study supports the development of an electronic consent tool, My Data Choices (MDC), funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, that offers individuals with behavioral health conditions more control over their medical records.

Fig. 1

Generalized Consent Process Workflow, from observations at behavioral health Sites 1 and 2. In color Yellow, workflow step sometimes observed at Site 1, in color Blue workflow step (printing the filled consent forms when patient/legal guardian prefers signing paper-based consents) only observed at Site 2.