CASE STUDY
Tech driven care for Veterans and active-duty service members
How the integration of AI, machine learning, and wearable devices can personalize and improve mental health services for Veterans and active-duty service members.
5-MINUTE READ
In brief
- Tech-driven care can revolutionize mental healthcare for Veterans and active-duty service members by optimizing practitioners' time and reducing stress.
- Our team developed prototypes at The Forge® to address mental health practitioners’ administrative burdens.
- Prototype solutions include HealthLink Connect, a platform that integrates data from multiple sources for personalized care, and GenAI, which automates record reviews and report generation.
In the ever-evolving landscape of mental healthcare, a new narrative is emerging. One where technology plays a pivotal role in supporting the mental health of Veterans and active-duty military personnel by promoting wellness and enhancing timely interventions with the aim to reduce death-by-suicide rates.
Demand for mental health services is increasing, generating immense pressure on mental healthcare professionals. Technology, however, presents viable options to alleviate strain and enhance their ability to deliver care. It's not just a tool. It is a partner in providing the best possible care for our Veterans and active-duty military personnel.
50%
of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) employees experience burnout symptoms weekly, according to VHA’s 2021 All Employee Survey.
Exploring Solutions
At The Forge®, Accenture Federal Services recently convened a group of Veterans, mental health experts, and technologists to brainstorm this challenge and explore solutions. This initiative brings together experts across many disciplines to test technologies through research and prototyping to help federal agencies tackle their toughest challenges and find new ways to meet their mission.
Our collaboration unveiled a wealth of insights into the current state of mental healthcare for Veterans and active-duty military personnel. Their input underscored the urgent need for transformative solutions that use technology to enhance care delivery, reduce administrative burdens, and ultimately improve mental health care outcomes.
What we found
A broad array of perspectives were considered in a robust, co-creative process.
The staggering demand for mental health services among Veterans and active-duty personnel is undeniable. Half of VHA employees experience at least one symptom of burnout weekly, while patient caseloads continue to rise.
Technology offers innovative solutions that can alleviate administrative burdens, optimize practitioners' time, and foster a supportive environment for mental health care.
Wearable devices and remote monitoring tools hold immense promise. By collecting real-time data on patients' biometric trends and symptoms, these tools can empower clinicians with insights that inform personalized support and interventions.
GenAI capabilities—automating record reviews, report generation, and compliance documentation—can alleviate the time-consuming tasks associated with mandated reporting. This frees up practitioners to focus on preventive and urgent mental healthcare.
Minutes back to the mission
Integrating advanced technology into mental health care significantly helps address the unique challenges faced by Veterans and active-duty personnel. By empowering them to actively participate in their healthcare journey, technology can improve patient outcomes while fostering a more supportive and respectful environment for mental health care.
Practitioners benefit too. When technology supports—rather than burdens—them, it can allow more time to focus on patient care, reduce burnout, and enhance personal interactions that are foundational to effective mental healthcare.
As these solutions are further developed and refined, the focus remains on maintaining privacy, personalization, and control over data, ensuring that Veterans and active-duty personnel receive the support they need.