Four Things To Know About Telepsychiatry
Telepsychiatry involves a process that requires the use of telecommunications devices to provide psychiatric services for patients that are physically away from the psychiatrist. Telepsychiatry is also an option for those who feel more comfortable being at home.
Here, we look at some of the important things you should know about telepsychiatry as well as some of the benefits it brings about.
What is Telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry is a subset of telemedicine where technology is utilized, often through video calls, to provide a variety of mental care services for patients. By using telepsychiatry, patients can directly interact with their psychiatrists via video conferencing facilities or the telephone.
Telepsychiatry covers a range of services, including the following:
- Medication management
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Psychiatric diagnosis and evaluation
- Client education
- Family therapy
Is Telepsychiatry Effective?
Telepsychiatry can be useful for a majority of people, opening an alternative route as opposed to the traditional in-person sessions for psychiatric services.
Generally, telemedicine is a cost-effective solution that also increases the accessibility of mental health care services. According to the American Psychiatric Association, studies have shown that telepsychiatry has resulted in high client satisfaction ratings and is equivalent to in-person care in terms of:
- Quality of care
- Client confidentiality and privacy
- Treatment effectiveness
- Accuracy of diagnosis
Benefits of Telepsychiatry
The main benefit of telepsychiatry is that it’s able to provide an effective and practical alternative solution to in-person psychiatric services. It is suited for people of all ages, including adults, children, and adolescents. For other groups of people, such as those living with severe anxiety disorders or autism, telepsychiatry is primarily a preferred option to in-person treatment.
Other benefits of telepsychiatry can also include:
- Cost-effectiveness
- Increased convenience and accessibility
- Enhanced quality of care
How Does Telepsychiatry Work?
Similar to traditional face-to-face psychiatric appointments, telepsychiatry requires the patient to first visit their local clinic to get a referral to a psychiatrist. Then, the patient’s doctor or clinic will fix the initial telepsychiatry appointment with the psychiatrist offering the service.
The patient should make sure that they have all the relevant information or medical records available, in the event that the psychiatrist needs to access them.
Telepsychiatry sessions typically adhere to the same guidelines as in-person appointments. The psychiatrist will regularly discuss with the patient their issues, goals, and treatment plan.
These are the duties of the psychiatrist during the telepsychiatry service:
- Schedule follow-up appointments
- Refer the client to other services
- Prescribe medication
- Devise and implement treatment plans
Telepsychiatry services are typically accessible in the following places:
- Schools
- Residential treatment facilities
- Nursing homes
- Mental health centers
Get Quality Telepsychiatry Services at Wonder Years
If you’re looking to learn more about telepsychiatry services or are considering the switch from your in-person appointments to telepsychiatry services, Wonder Years is an ideal option for you.
We offer an extensive range of psychiatric services, including telepsychiatry, neuropsychological assessments, ADHD coaching, therapy, second opinions, and many more. Apart from our strong emphasis on regular discussion about diagnosis and compliance with treatment plans, we have a collaborative approach when it comes to providing mental health care for our patients. Contact us today to find out more!
