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What Is Telepsychiatry and How Do I Use It?
What Is Telepsychiatry and How Do I Use It?
Did you know that in the United States, only 41%
of people
who have suffered a mental health condition in the past year have received professional care or treatment?
There is a mental health crisis worldwide, and unfortunately, mental health is one of the most neglected forms of healthcare. It's often inaccessible, expensive, and poorly regulated. It's highly stigmatized, and many people choose not to seek treatment. Is there a solution?
Have you heard of telepsychiatry services? If you're wondering "what is telepsychiatry?", you're in the right place.
Telepsychiatry is one way to help bring mental health care to more people who may not have been able to access it otherwise for any multitude of reasons. While it's not a perfect fix for the mental healthcare crisis in the United States, it's a great way to allow more people to get the treatment that they need.
Keep reading to learn more.
What is Telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry is telemedicine psychiatry. Telemedicine is the act of providing healthcare services from a distance via the use of assistive technology.
In other words, telepsychiatry is mental healthcare that is completed over the phone, computer, or video chat rather than in person.
Doctors don't meet face-to-face with their clients and clients can generally access their doctors from home, making it an excellent solution for anyone who suffers from disabilities or anyone who feels stress from the stigma of mental health.
Sometimes the psychiatrists interact directly with their patients and other times the psychiatrists interact with general physicians or other healthcare providers as middlemen.
Why Is It Beneficial?
Many people choose not to seek psychiatric help. Some people are afraid of the stigma. Some people can't find the time when they work odd hours. Many people can't find doctors in their area that take their insurance.
Mental health can be incredibly expensive, and if the cost is too high, many people just push it to the side (which makes the problem worse in the long run).
With telemedicine mental health services, people everywhere can have accessible mental health providers as long as they have some form of insurance (or as long as they're willing to pay out of pocket). This breaks down several barriers that prevent people from seeking care.
Furthermore, many people with mental health conditions have trouble actively seeking out the care that they need in person. It's common for people with social anxiety to be resistant or unwilling or to seek out in-person attention.
It also helps people with disabilities who are limited in their ability to get around as well as people with work schedules or inadequate childcare that don't usually have the time to tend to their own health needs.
Telehealth is the way forward for many people who don't have easy access to traditional healthcare.
How Can You Get Telepsychiatry?
Telehealth programs and telepsychiatry specifically are becoming much more widespread as the need for them grows. If you need accessible telehealth, it all starts with a simple phone call or email consultation.
You're going to have to contact the telehealth provider
to let them know that you're seeking out their services. You can do this on the phone or via online messaging, depending on your comfort level. Whatever is most accessible to you is fine.
Based on the information given, your provider will help you choose an appointment time that fits with your schedule. Remember, you don't have to drive to any far away doctor's office, fill out any forms in a waiting room, or find childcare. You're doing this all from home, so your timeslots should be pretty flexible.
Once it's time for your appointment, you'll "meet" with licensed professionals who can help meet your needs. If you need a new diagnosis, your team can work with you to help figure out how you can get the care that you need.
While it may seem challenging to diagnose a patient online, advancements in video and audio communication technology make it safe and easy to share this kind of health information. While it might not be quite the same as an in-person appointment, it's reliable, and doctors are confident in their abilities.
From there, your doctors can decide on your treatment. Whether you need psychiatric medication or counseling, these situations can be managed through the telehealth system.
Medication can be sent right to your most convenient pharmacy. Many pharmacies even deliver, further reducing your need to leave your home. Counseling sessions
can also be handled through telemedicine programs.
Whatever your specific needs are for your mental health, you can handle them all from home.
What About After the Appointment?
Just like with a "normal" doctor, telehealth providers allow you to follow up with any concerns. With telehealth, though, you don't have to wait for an appointment. Is a medication doing something you don't like? Is your counseling not working? These are situations that should be addressed quickly with mental health care, and with telepsychiatry, they can be.
Your needs can be met with telemedicine. You can take care of your mental health from the comfort of your own home safely and easily.
Is Telepsychiatry Right For You?
So what is telepsychiatry? It's a great solution for many people around the country who don't have the ability to access standard mental health care. It makes psychiatry accessible and worry-free, leaving fewer people in the dark.
If you are suffering from a mental health condition, or you think that you might be, consider seeking telepsychiatry for your next appointment. Seeking help is the first step to recovery, and it can be as easy as sending an email.
For more information, visit our site to learn more
or reach out to our providers.
Most people can benefit from exploring counseling services. Speaking with a therapist can help you talk through feelings and problems with an objective person.
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