Benefits Of Telemedicine And Telepsychiatry Services

By William Schmidt


While going to a primary health care provider or specialist can often be difficult, there are new methods in which individuals can now be treated at home. These methods include telemedicine and Telepsychiatry services. Whether seeking an examination from a primary health or mental health care provider, individuals can now make online appointments and complete assessments and examinations through videoconferencing.

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 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.

While a fairly new practice, research has discovered satisfaction to be prevalent among clients, primary care and mental health professionals. While appointments take place online, the practice is equivalent to in-office visits when it comes examinations, diagnosis, treatment and quality of care. Whereas, doctor client privilege, overall privacy and confidentiality are also equivalent to individuals receiving care in a clinical setting.

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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