Track 25: Telepsychiatry and Mental Health Services

The practice of providing medical care via technology—often videoconferencing—from a distance is known as telemedicine, or telehealth. As a branch of telemedicine, telepsychiatry offers a variety of services such as medication management, patient education, group and individual treatment, family therapy, and psychiatric examinations. The goal of telehealth in all forms of healthcare is to increase access to care by removing obstacles such as the need for childcare, transportation, or time away from work to see a doctor.

Direct communication between a psychiatrist and patient is possible with telepsychiatry. It also includes psychiatrists providing mental health care consulting and expertise to other physicians, such as primary care providers. Live, interactive communication can be used to provide mental health care, including audio-only or video consultations. Additionally, it may entail securely transmitting recorded medical data—such as pictures and videos—to a psychiatrist or other healthcare professional.

An increasing number of individuals are using mobile health technology (mHealth) for certain elements of their healthcare. Apps for smartphones, smart watches, and other sensing technologies can be examples of this. Mobile health technologies can provide more chances for evaluation and therapy under a psychiatrist’s supervision.