What is Telehealth Psychiatry?

Telemedicine and telehealth are two terms that describe health care that takes place at a distance, using technological advancements such as broad access to video conference in order to connect patients and providers that are in separate locations.

The use of telemedicine in psychiatry is known as telehealth psychiatry or telepsychiatry, and as a widespread phenomenon (one that grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic), it is a relatively recent development that is helping to expand mental health care access for millions.

Is Telepsychiatry Effective?

Yes! Telepsychiatry’s effectiveness is supported by a large body of research showing that in-person and virtual psychiatric care provide comparable diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, quality of care, patient satisfaction, and patient privacy/confidentiality.

As described in a review of 325 papers on the effectiveness of telepsychiatry, virtual psychiatry offers “consistent diagnostic reliability, satisfactory clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.”^[1] It is also particularly useful for treating common conditions such as depression, PTSD, and ADHD.^[2]

Here’s the American Psychological Association’s official statement on telepsychiatry, released in 2018: “Telemedicine in psychiatry, using video conferencing, is a validated and effective practice of medicine that increases access to care. The American Psychiatric Association supports the use of telemedicine as a legitimate component of a mental health delivery system.”^[3]

Understanding the Benefits of Telepsychiatry

There are numerous compelling benefits offered by telepsychiatry, including increasing access and reducing cost barriers to mental health care. Here are some of the most notable benefits:

• Among those who suffer from social anxiety, who have physical disabilities or limitations, or who struggle with other aspects of in-person care, telepsychiatry could actually be more effective than in-person care since it’s significantly more accessible in many cases.^[4]
• Specialized care may be more accessible for those who don’t have many local options for psychiatrists.
• There’s much less need to take time off work or secure childcare in order to travel to receive care, so it better accommodates busy schedules.^[5]
• Many people feel more comfortable talking about stigmatized issues such as mental health from the privacy of their own homes, rather than in an unfamiliar office.^[6]
• Reduce the likelihood of experiencing delayed care due to lack of local psychiatrist appointments.^[7]
• Often improves follow-up and continuity of care, which means fewer trips to the emergency room.^[8]
• Online medication management may be easier to keep up with for many patients, especially if this is done through an intuitive interface.^[9]

Can Telepsychiatrists Prescribe Medication?

Being a licensed psychiatrist means being legally allowed to prescribe medications to patients, so in most states, including Florida,^[10] telepsychiatrists are also allowed to do so after completing a full psychiatric evaluation online.^[11] However, there are certain exceptions, depending on the specifics of state and federal law as well as on the type(s) of medication being prescribed.

Logistically Speaking, How Does Telepsychiatry Work?

Telepsychiatry allows patients to receive mental health services through video and/or phone calls:

Video Appointments

A psychiatrist video appointment is a more accurate approximation of being in the same room as a provider, allowing both the patient and psychiatrist to see each other’s faces and connect on a more human level.^[12] Facial expressions are an important aspect of overall communication, so clinicians tend to prefer video appointments over audio calls without a video component.^[13]

Phone Consultation

In most cases, it is required for psychiatrists to perform a video appointment with a patient and most other psychiatrists, unless there’s a technical issue that prevents it.

In some cases, a telepsychiatrist may decide that phone consultations are a better fit for certain patients. This may be due to mental health considerations (e.g., anxiety with video chats) or technological limitations – perhaps the patient doesn’t have access to a device that allows video calling or lacks the internet bandwidth for a video call.

Closing Thoughts on Telepsychiatry

Telepsychiatrists are legally permitted to prescribe medications in the state of Florida,^[14] after completing a full psychiatric video evaluation of the patient. Since this is true, the practice of telepsychiatry may already be the preferred method of receiving psychiatric care. It has also been found that telepsychiatry and even phone consultations are typically more accessible, possibly more private, and can be a truly effective way to receive mental health care, especially for those who do not have alternative options.