Telepsychiatry is breaking barriers to mental healthcare for many people. There is a combination of benefits that patients are experiencing when they take advantage of remote healthcare services. Telemedicine is most often used for follow-up care and the management of medication. Telemedicine can employ phone calls, email, text, and video chat platforms. Telepsychiatry is for mental healthcare what telemedicine is for physical healthcare. Although most patients that take advantage of this service are between 25 and 34 years of age, telepsychiatry is for people of all ages and backgrounds.

1. Convenience

It is very convenient to be able to meet with your Gainsville psychiatrist without having to actually show up at their office. Televisits mean that you don’t have to pray the traffic is on your side when you use your lunch break to see your therapist, and that you can schedule visits outside of the typiccal office hours. They also mean that you can have your appointment in your home, while you’re on vacation, or wherever you feel most comfortable. The flexibility that comes with telesychiatry makes for a lot less stress and time lost.

2. Patient Participation

More than half of scheduled in-office appointments end up in no-shows. There are many reasons for patients failing to attend their appointments, but making appointments more accessible has helped to narrow the gap in patient participation. Some of the most common barriers to mental healthcare include cost of care, low access to care, and time management. Telehealth services are intended to help address these issues and others that patients may have.

3. Improved Patient Outcomes

Many patients will are having better outcomes because the care they need is much more accessible. For those in more rural areas, telepsychiatry has completely transformed the way they access mental healthcare. Other underserved demographics like senior citizens, impoverished people, physically disabled individuals, and veterans also see larger success with this model of patient care.

4. Money Saving

What’s so great about telepsychiatry is that not only are the patients able to cutdown on costs, but care providers also are able to slash their costs Not having to commute to a mental healthcare provider can save patients money on their visit, and not having to step out of work to make an appointment equates to less time off from work. Providers can reduce their overhead costs if they no longer need a physical location or are able to use a coworking space to conduct televisits from. For both provider and patient, there is less wear and tear on their vehicles as well as fewer trips to the gas pump.

With so many barriers to quality and accessible mental healthcare, telepsyciatry is a welcome breath of fresh air that is changing the way people feel about addressing their mental health concerns. And it’s helping both patients and providers to be more efficient and present. Telehealth services picked up a lot more momentum during teh COVID-19 pandemic, and doesn’t show many signs of slowing down. Patients are reporting increased satisfaction as well.