This study explored the provision of mental health services, with Taiwan serving as a critical case study due to its extensive health insurance coverage. The nation's distinctive healthcare system makes it an exemplary setting to investigate the evolving field of mental health services, particularly amidst the increasing prevalence of common mental disorders [1]. The research also explored the cultural significance of heart rate variability (HRV) test in Taiwan, tied to the traditional belief in "autonomic imbalance." The goal was to assess the scope and justification for offering mental health services such as HRV test in comparison to more conventional options such as psychotherapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). This study aimed to understand the prevalence and motivations behind the availability of services such as HRV test, psychotherapy, and rTMS in Taiwanese psychiatric clinics, with a particular focus on how HRV test was presented to patients. The Institutional Review Board of the Tri-Service General Hospital approved this study and waived the requirement for written informed consent (TSGHIRB No.: A202405056).
Date:
2024-09
Relation:
Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 2024 Sep;184:Article number 111860.
