Behavioral health has historically been "squishy," according to Rogers Behavioral Health CEO Cindy Meyer.
"Behavioral health, in the past, has been very squishy and based on subjectivity. Our [platform] is based on data and objectivity," Ms. Meyer told Becker's.
Oconomowoc, Wis.-based behavioral health provider maintains its own research center, including a biobank to study links between behavioral health conditions and genetics. The behavioral health provider operates both inpatient and outpatient clinics in 10 states.
The provider opened two new Wisconsin clinics in 2024, and is eyeing continued expansion in 2025, especially in residential treatment, according to Ms. Meyer.
"We've seen a movement across the country to inpatient care as crisis stabilization, and a shorter length of stay," Ms. Meyer said. "Through residential treatment, we're able to show data that sustains stabilization after the crisis, but also builds for the client new tools, new awareness around what actions they can take back to their communities and be successful in developing coping mechanisms to be able to thrive."
When targeting expansion, Rogers Behavioral looks closely at what the community needs and builds relationships before opening a new site, Ms. Meyer said.
The "if you build it, they will come" mentality is not always the best approach in healthcare, she said.
"My bottom line is you need to know what the community needs, will embrace and how you're going to fortify that community with services you bring forth," she said.
The company is also leaning on its data to figure out how to best implement new technologies.
Brian Kay, PhD, chief strategy officer at Rogers Behavioral, told Becker's the company is exploring AI technology to support staff and virtual reality to augment treatments.
Though the company is using AI, the technology, in general, has an overhype around it, according to Dr. Kay.
"People think it's going to solve everything, which is not the case," he said. "We've taken the approach of how does AI becomes an enabler for our staff, our patients in being an augment to treatment."
Behavioral health is in an exciting phase, Dr. Kay said, with an 'onslaught' of new technology.
We're taking a very metered approach to figure out: What is the best of that onslaught, which has the best research, and how does it make our patient experience better, our treatment outcomes better and our employee experience better?" he said.
Interested in sharing your own thoughts? Take this quick survey about your system's behavioral health strategies here.