The Benefits Of Telemedicine And Telepsychiatry Services

By William Schmidt


While in the past, individuals could be treated at home by doctors whom made house calls, telemedicine has now recreated that ability through videoconferencing. For example, Telepsychiatry services, a subset of the larger telemedicine health field is now allowing mental health care professionals to examine, diagnose and treat individuals from a remote location. While a rather new practice, studies show that individuals subscribing to this form of treatment are on the rise.

The field of telemedicine uses several different formats which include communicating by telephone, smart phone, landline and apps such as Skype and other videoconferencing platforms. Telepsychiatry is one of a number of subsets under the larger practice of telemedicine. In the case of telepsychiatry, mental health providers provide exams, different types of therapy, medication management and education from remote locations.

In addition to direct psychiatrist to client services, telepsychiatry also allows professionals the ability to support primary care providers with regards to mental health expertise to determine the appropriate referral of clients. In either case, various aspects of mental health care be now be provided through live online interactive communication. Whereas, the practice can also involve the recording of images and videos which can be sent to a distant location for review at a later date.

The practice has already helped individuals in a number of ways. For, telemedicine has proved to be affordable and readily available for most individuals. Benefits of telemedicine include reducing barriers related to judgment and stigma, eliminating transportation issues, flexible scheduling based on when clients are available, reducing the number of canceled or delayed appointments, reducing the need for emergency room visits, integrating different types of health care and providing access to individuals living in rural areas.

While some people may not be comfortable talking to a person on a computer screen, experience and research studies have shown that the majority feel okay in doing so. In fact, studies also showed that some individuals may be more willing to open up about difficult issues from the comfort of home versus a clinical setting. When it comes to individuals whom are uncomfortable in the beginning, most become more comfortable once familiar with the process.

Both primary and mental health care providers must hold a valid license to practice medicine in the state where treatment is taking place. Since state licensing and legislature generally view that to be the place in which clients are located, providers and clients alike need to be cautious when communicating either on the phone or through videoconferencing from outside the state of residence.

Telemedicine, while a new practice has already discovered that satisfaction is prevalent among clients, mental health providers, primary health care providers and others. For, while sessions may take place over the internet, the practice is basically the same as in an in-office environment when it comes to quality of care, treatment, diagnosis and examinations. Whereas, overall confidentiality and privacy are also of utmost importance, including traditional doctor client privilege.

Ultimately, telemedicine and telepsychiatry can be valuable to people of all ages. For, research has found that assessments and treatment plans can be provided more quickly and efficiently than in a clinic setting. Whereas, since the inception of telemedicine, a number of people now prefer to communicate with mental and health care providers online as doing so can also prevent the transmission of a number of diseases and illnesses.




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