Telepsychiatry Services
Electronics have become a central part of modern life. You can video chat with far away friends, order just about any product, and even attend college from your phone or laptop. Wouldn't it be great if you could see your doctor without all the hassle too?
You can.
You can.
What is telepsychiatry?
Telemedicine uses technology to evaluate, diagnose and care for patients remotely. As defined by the American Telemedicine Association (ATA), telemedicine is “the remote delivery of health care services and clinical information using telecommunications technology. This includes a wide array of clinical services using internet, wireless, satellite and telephone media.”
With the advancement of audio and video technology, telemedicine has quickly become an important way for doctors and patients to connect regularly.
Telepsychiatry, a specialty uniquely suited for telemedicine, allows patients to consult with their psychiatric provider for regular and special appointments through a smart phone or computer. Care is as robust as an in-person appointment, and providers complement telepsychiatry services with electronic prescribing (e-prescribe).
With the advancement of audio and video technology, telemedicine has quickly become an important way for doctors and patients to connect regularly.
Telepsychiatry, a specialty uniquely suited for telemedicine, allows patients to consult with their psychiatric provider for regular and special appointments through a smart phone or computer. Care is as robust as an in-person appointment, and providers complement telepsychiatry services with electronic prescribing (e-prescribe).
What are the benefits of telepsychiatry?
- No transportation necessary.
Telepsychiatry allows you to see your psychiatric provider from your computer or smart phone, which saves money on gas and parking. Also you don't have to worry about being late to your appointment because of unexpected traffic issues. - No missed work or school.
Telepsychiatry uses video to connect you to a provider at a time that's convenient for you. Schedule an appointment before or after work, or even during a break. As long as you can find a private space, you can easily keep your appointment without missing work or school. Save your time off for yourself. - No childcare or elder care issues.
You have other responsibilities in life, including taking care of children and/or parents. Skip the stress and impracticality of bringing them with you to the office and schedule a telepsychiatry appointment instead. You can stay home to look after those who need you without sacrificing your mental health. - No exposure to new illnesses.
If the Covid-19 pandemic taught us anything, it's that life is full of surprises. Telepsychiatry lets patients get the care they need without risking their health, something especially important for the immunocompromised. - Access to highly specialized care.
Many communities don't have highly specialized psychiatric care like that offered at Pacific Mind Health. Telepsychiatry provides an opportunity for patients who need a mental health professional to receive definitive care without long travel times and expenses. - Continue your care from anywhere.
Telepsychiatry allows patients to keep appointments with their providers regardless of where life takes them. If you have to travel for work or find yourself out of town for personal reasons, telepsychiatry lets you continue your treatment program and obtain medication refills with the same regularity as in-office visits... without the geographical constraints.
What about the technology?
To attend a telepsychiatry appointment, all you need is:
There is no software to download, as appointments are accessed through a website.
You will receive easy-to-follow instructions from our office prior to your telepsychiatry appointment to ensure you don't have any technical difficulties or frustrations. It literally only takes a few clicks to get to your appointment.
- a webcamera with audio
- a quiet room
- a stable internet connection.
There is no software to download, as appointments are accessed through a website.
You will receive easy-to-follow instructions from our office prior to your telepsychiatry appointment to ensure you don't have any technical difficulties or frustrations. It literally only takes a few clicks to get to your appointment.
What about medications?Telemedicine allows our providers to prescribe medications through our electronic prescribing platform to the pharmacy of your choice.
After your appointment, your provider can instantly transmit your prescriptions to the pharmacy, allowing patients to pick up their medications just a few hours after their appointment. |
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Is telepsychiatry safe and private?
Your provider will be in a secure, private area during your appointment to ensure patient confidentiality. You will ensure a level of privacy in your home environment by being alone in a quiet setting and using headphones if preferred.
The video conferencing software that hosts your appointment is encrypted and HIPAA, PIPEDA, and GDPR compliant. None of your information is ever stored, and your appointments are anonymous and never recorded. It is illegal for you or your provider to record any appointment without express consent from all parties involved.
Telepsychiatry appointments are as secure and confidential as in-person appointments.
The video conferencing software that hosts your appointment is encrypted and HIPAA, PIPEDA, and GDPR compliant. None of your information is ever stored, and your appointments are anonymous and never recorded. It is illegal for you or your provider to record any appointment without express consent from all parties involved.
Telepsychiatry appointments are as secure and confidential as in-person appointments.