Millions of children across the country have no access to mental health treatment. Advancements in medical technology including telemedicine Kingwood enable online doctor-patient interactions that have similar efficacy to in-person consultations. Read on for more on how telepsychiatry facilitates psychiatric care at a distance for children and adolescents.

Improving psychiatric access with telemedicine

Statistics show the United States has less than eight thousand pediatric psychiatrists. That leaves more than 20% of 13.7 million children without the mental health care they need. Youths from disadvantaged communities are most affected by accessibility challenges.

Tele-psychiatry involves using videoconferencing software to communicate with the patient. Children and adolescents may need a parent present during the video call. Your psychiatrist will organize an initial session to facilitate the final diagnosis.

Tele-psychiatry is a convenient option for many people who don’t have time to shuttle to the treatment center. It eliminates transport costs and enables children in far-flung rural areas to access psychiatric treatment.

While telemedicine is not a new idea, the pandemic increased adoption exponentially. It has proven invaluable for addressing the disruption prevalent in psychiatric therapies. Tele-psychiatry facilitates continuity of care, improving treatment outcomes.

Telemedicine efficacy and outcomes

Researcher reports suggest telepsychiatry has comparable efficacy to in-person psychiatric therapies. Telepsychiatry provides continuity and eliminates interruptions among patients with limited access to health care.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, telemedicine decreases the need to transfer the patient to a specialized observation unit. Therapy through telepsychiatry may take longer than conventional counseling sessions. Nevertheless, it can offer unmatched quality of care that would be unavailable for some patients.

Tele-psychiatry is not ideal for all patients. Psychiatrist professionals recommend young people exhibiting risky behavior or likely to harm themselves attend an in-person session instead.

Telepsychiatry clinical models and protocols

Telepsychiatry therapy may implement various models depending on the situation. In some settings, the mental health professional provides referral services for local clinics. The primary care provider is usually absent during the consultations. But they can answer questions from patients through a communication link.

The clinic may also gather data from several sources, including school reports and psychological tests. The information is necessary to review progress in the later stages of treatment.

Some treatment protocols involve a psychiatric team to facilitate timely psychiatric treatment for the child. The team is present during online consultations and shares their views on the treatment plan.

The team’s presence during consultation allows parents to understand the reasoning for the psychiatric treatment. Parents gain confidence to tackle the challenges of managing the condition.

A telepsychiatry clinic also refers patients to other mental health specialists. It coordinates with other service providers for behavioral and psychopharmacological therapies. The treatment may include education assistance and developmental interventions.

Scientists are still researching the best models to deliver telepsychiatry. The process is as safe and effective as an in-person consultation when performed by a certified professional. Telepsychiatry integrates training, mental health therapies, and teaching to attain optimal outcomes for your child.

Contact Kingwood Psychiatry to schedule a psychiatric consultation for your child.