Benefits Of Telemedicine And Telepsychiatry Services

By William Schmidt


When it comes to going to any type of medical appointment, doing so can often be difficult. While this is the case, there are now Telepsychiatry services which can bring medical professionals into the home. Unlike house calls in the past, the new practice involves direct contact between mental health care providers and clients in two different locations. Whereas, there are also other health care providers which are using telecommunications and telemedicine in different ways.

Telemedicine uses a number of different formats including teleconferencing over land lines, smart phones, Skype and other videoconferencing platforms. When it comes to telepsychiatry, it is considered a subset of telemedicine. In this case, the practice involves psychiatrists and other mental health care workers whom provide evaluations, individual, group or family therapy, education and medication management from a distance.

In addition to direct medical provider to client services, telemedicine also allows primary and mental health care providers the ability to counsel with one another about the best treatment for clients. For example, a primary care provider may believe an individual needs to be seen by a specialist but is not quite sure. When this is the case, the primary care provider can now videoconference with the specialist to discover whether the condition is appropriate for a referral.

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 difficult for some people to talk to a computer screen, it is important to remember that it is a person on the screen with which one is talking and not the screen. For, when considering this, it can often be a much easier process. In addition, it can often be easier for people to open and up and discuss difficult and embarrassing issues online rather than in person.

Psychiatric practitioners must be licensed in the state in which practice and services are rendered and received. In all cases, state licensing and legislatures view the client's location as being the place in which the medical practice takes place. As such, client's and practitioners need to be cautious when communicating with one another when away from home.

To date, research has shown that most clients having participated in telemedicine and telepsychiatry have been satisfied with the services provided. For, while appointments take place online, the process is equivalent to that of an in-office visit when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, quality of care and examinations. Whereas, doctor client privilege, overall confidentiality and privacy are all equal to that provided in a clinic.

Ultimately, the practice can be a valuable experience for all age groups. For, research and evidence has found that assessment and treatment can be provided much more quickly online than when having to wait weeks or months for an in-office appointment. Whereas, there are a number of people whom now prefer telemedicine, telepsychiatry and videoconferencing, especially those living with ADHD, anxiety disorders, autism and physical limitations.




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