A telepsychiatry session involves a healthcare provider and a patient interacting through phone calls or video conferences to conduct a psychiatric assessment or provide therapy services. As the name suggests, telepsychiatry is most commonly used to remotely provide psychiatric or mental health services. It’s a valuable innovation that has changed a lot of lives, and it’s worth trying for many reasons.
1. There’s No Need for Travel
Telepsychiatry services have the potential to help individuals who are in need of psychiatric services without having to physically travel to a mental health facility. This can be a lifesaver for individuals who may not have the capacity to drive themselves to a doctor’s facility, and it can allow for more effective treatment.
2. There’s Evidence to Support Effectiveness
Although telepsychiatry services are relatively new, enough research suggests that they can be effective. Nevertheless, it’s not a complete replacement for in-person consultations. Instead, a combination of the two is a viable strategy to fit the needs of different patients. There’s also research to suggest that combining traditional psychiatric services with telepsychiatry services can lead to more effective treatment.
3. It’s High Functioning in Many Scenarios
More and more research suggests that telepsychiatry is not just a viable alternative to in-person psychiatric care. It may actually be superior in some ways. For example, research points to the fact that there can be greater rapport between patient and provider when using telepsychiatry services. This could lead to better outcomes for some patients.
4. It’s a Good Option for Rural Residents
Individuals who live in rural areas may find that it’s easier to access telepsychiatry services than it is to access traditional in-person psychiatric services. This is partly because many areas in the country have limited access to psychiatric care. Telepsychiatry services can provide much-needed psychiatric treatment in these areas.
5. It Can Cut Out Carrying the Stigma
A lot of people are uncomfortable about going to a psychiatrist because they are worried about being judged. There’s often stigma associated with mental health issues, and this can cause people to avoid getting the help they need. Telepsychiatry services, because they allow you to talk to a physician at a remote location, can help patients avoid being bothered by this stigma.
6. It’s a Good Option for Military Personnel
Army and Navy personnel often have psychiatric care needs that can’t be met locally. In the past, this has meant that some service members have to wait months for treatment. Even after treatment, there’s the possibility that their deployment will mean that they have to travel long distances to continue seeing their providers. Using telepsychiatry services in such situations can be a great way to meet the needs of service members.
Conclusion
Telepsychiatry services have the potential to change a lot of lives by helping people get the psychiatric care they need without making them travel very far. Overall, telepsychiatry services are a great alternative or supplement to traditional in-person psychiatric services. They’re a good way to improve psychiatric care while saving money and time. If you or anyone you know is suffering from mental health problems, try telepsychiatry services and get the necessary help from the comfort of your own home.
Your mental health should not be neglected, especially in today’s fast-paced reality. Get needed help from wherever you please with our telepsychiatric services in Londonderry. Remember, psychiatric health is just a phone call away!