Telepsychiatry

The amount of people opting for telemedicine instead of in person services is consistently growing. To address a particular sector seeking mental health services, Telepsychiatry has made its debut. With the expansion of telepsychiatry over the course of the COVID-19 public health emergency, opportunities to use hybrid treatment options (combinations of telepsychiatry and in-person care) are on the rise.

What is telepsychiatry?

Telepsychiatry is a subset of telemedicine where mental health care is provided from a distance using audio or video-conferencing technology. It offers a range of services including psychiatric evaluations, therapy (individual, group or family), patient education and medication management.

Telepsychiatry can involve direct interaction between a psychiatrist and the patient. It also encompasses psychiatrists supporting other clinicians, including primary care providers, with mental health care consultation and expertise. Mental health care can be delivered through live, interactive communication, including video or audio-only care. It can also involve recording medical information (such as images and videos) and sending this securely to a psychiatrist or other clinician.

What are the benefits?

Video and audio-based telepsychiatry helps meet patients’ needs for convenience, affordability, and accessibility to mental health services. Telepsychiatry is beneficial in several ways, such as:

• Improving access to mental health specialty care.
• Bringing care to the patient’s chosen location.
• Reducing the need for time off work, child, and family care services, etc. to attend appointments.
• Reducing potential transportation barriers, such as lack of transportation or the need for long drives.
• Improving continuity of care and follow-up.
• Reducing the barrier of stigma in accessing mental health care.
• Enhancing feelings of safety, security and privacy for many.