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What is Telepsychiatry?

Telepsychiatry is the process of providing health care from a distance through technology, often using videoconferencing. Telepsychiatry, a subset of telemedicine, can involve providing a range of services including psychiatric evaluations, therapy (individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy), patient education and medication management. Telepsychiatry services can be offered through intermediary companies that partner with facilities to increase care capacities, or by individual providers or provider groups. At-home models are becoming accepted as long as they are in compliance with HIPPA standards. We at Advance Psychiatric Care take great care to ensure our telepsychiatry services adhere to all HIPPA standards.

 

What is HIPPA and how does is affect Telepsychiatry?

HIPPA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and is a United States federal law that establishes security and privacy standards for electronic medical information exchange, including telemedice services. It was enacted to make sure patient information is protected and remains confidential amongst the necessary parties involved in patient's care. Our services are deemed HIPPA compliant and meet all HIPPA standards.

 

Are all patients able to use Advance Psychiatric Care's Telepsychiatry services?

Interested parties should email our office at info@psychiatryexpertmd.com to let us know of your interest. Your file will be reviewed by an appropriate provider to determine if Telepsychiatry is an appropriate fit for your needs and care. We want to ensure you get the best possible service and produce best outcomes and results for your mental health needs.

 

HELP! I NEED A TELE-PSYCHIATRIST IMMEDIATELLY!

IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN CRISIS, REQUIRE IMMEDIATE CARE, OR THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE DIAL 911 OR GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM. Telepsychaitry services are for scheduled appointment only. Crisis situation require extensive resources and care to make sure you get the care you need and the Telemedicine format is not equipped to provide you the important and necessary care you may require. Therefore, to ensure you are properly seen, telemedicine, videoconferencing, or any other media that is not in-person care is not utilized for treatment of crisis situations.

 

Why is Telepsychiatry necessary and beneficial?

Telepsychiatry can:

• Improve access to mental health specialty care that might not otherwise be available (e.g., in rural areas or in instances of overwhelmed healthcare systems (COVID-19 pandemic)).

   

• Bring care to the patient’s location

   

• Help integrate behavioral health care and primary care, leading to better outcomes

   

• Help our nation as it grapples with a national shortage of psychiatrists. Telepsychiatry allows for fewer doctors to serve more patients by improving utilization of the psychiatrist's time.

   

• Reduce delays in care

   

• Improve continuity of care and follow-up

   

• Reduce the need for time off work, childcare services, etc. to access appointments far away

   

• Reduce potential transportation barriers, such as lack of transportation or the need for long drives

   

• Reduce the barrier of stigma

   

 

What is the effectiveness of telepsychiatry on patient outcomes?

According to the American Psychiatry Association, there is substantial evidence of the effectiveness of telepsychiatry and research has found satisfaction to be high among patients, psychiatrists and other professionals.

Telepsychiatry has been found especially effective with respect to the treatment of PTSD, depression, and ADHD.

Telepsychiatry is equivalent to in-person care in diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, quality of care and patient satisfaction. Patient privacy and confidentiality are equivalent to in-person care.

Research has also found that overall experiences among all age groups have been good. There is evidence for children, adolescents and adults regarding assessment and treatment (medication and therapy). There are even people for which telemedicine may be preferable to in-person care, for example people with autism or severe anxiety disorders and patients with physical limitations may find the remote treatment particularly useful.

 

 

Email us at info@psychiatryexpertmd.com or call our office at 732-528-3232 to inquire about setting up a telepsychiatry appointment. We are currently accepting a limited number of patients into our practice.

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