The article is developed in partnership with BetterHelp!

The COVID-19 pandemic not only altered our daily lives, but also continues to reshape how we access health care services. In particular, an area that has seen significant transformation is mental health care delivery, with telehealth emerging as a promising solution.

Let’s take a close look at the benefits and challenges of telepsychiatry and explore its impact on mental health care.

Understanding Telepsychiatry

Telehealth, or telepsychiatry in the context of mental health care, refers to the remote assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients using telecommunications technology.

It allows mental health providers to connect with patients virtually, breaking down barriers like distance, transportation limitations, and even time constraints.

Telepsychiatry is not a new concept – but it was dramatically underused technology before the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, based on a population study in the U.S., telemedicine visits were 0.02 per 1000 in 2005 and increased to 6.57 per 1000 in 2017 – this includes a 38-percent growth in primary health care and a 56-percent growth in tele-mental health. The highest rate increases occurred in geographic areas where no psychiatrists were physically present.

Increased Accessibility and Convenience

One of the most significant benefits of telepsychiatry is increased accessibility to mental healthcare, especially in underserved and remote areas where access to in-person care may be limited. With roughly one-fifth of the world’s population reporting experiencing a mental health condition, telepsychiatry can be a powerful tool for closing accessibility gaps.

Research has shown that telepsychiatry can reduce transportation time, waiting times and expenses for patients, which means higher patient satisfaction and lower attrition rates. Many insurance companies also cover telehealth services at the same level they cover in-person appointments.

Telepsychiatry can quite literally offer a lifeline to patients who face barriers to accessing mental health care.

Increased Safety/Reduced Transmission of Communicable Diseases

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the power of telepsychiatry to ensure the safety of both patients and providers. By eliminating the need for in-person visits, telepsychiatry reduces the risk of transmission and exposure to the wide range of bacteria and viruses often encountered in a medical setting.

This can be especially critical for vulnerable populations, including patients who are immunocompromised – those who require psychiatric care but are at higher risk of severe illness.

Plus – telepsychiatry allows psychiatrists to continue providing care remotely when they are contagious themselves, reducing strain on health care systems and guaranteeing continuity of services during times of crisis.

Types of Telepsychiatry

Telepsychiatry comes in various forms, including synchronous and asynchronous methods. Synchronous telehealth options for therapists involve real-time communication between patients and providers, mimicking traditional face-to-face visits.

For example, various types of talk therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychodynamic therapy, have been successfully delivered using online platforms. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, 96 percent of clinical therapists have reported that online forms of therapy are therapeutically effective.

Asynchronous telepsychiatry allows for the transmission of medical data and clinical diagnosis at a convenient time for assessment offline.

In addition, the following mental health services have been delivered successfully through telepsychiatry platforms:

• One-on-one talk therapy
• Group talk therapy
• Text therapy
• Addiction counseling
• Medication prescribing
• Medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders
• Medication monitoring
• Mental health screening
• Referrals for additional health services
• Anxiety and depression symptom monitoring

Treatment Effectiveness

Numerous studies have shown telepsychiatry to be highly effective in treating various psychiatric conditions – including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and dementia. Telepsychiatric consultations, regardless of whether conducted synchronously or asynchronously, have been shown to produce clinical outcomes on par with in-person visits.

Patients receiving telepsychiatric care report high levels of satisfaction, indicating that virtual sessions can foster strong therapeutic alliances between patients and providers.

The Next Frontier: Mobile Applications

The integration of mobile applications in telepsychiatry also has shown promising results. These apps, designed for monitoring, assessing and even treating psychiatric conditions, offer patients additional tools for self-management and support.

Studies have reported high user satisfaction and significant improvements in symptom reduction.

However, it’s important to note that this particular digital option is in early stages. Most apps used for mental health treatment focus on a wide variety of topics such as habit tracking, journaling, meditation, gratitude and physical activity.

Most wellness apps are self-driven and are available to the public through app stores. Many mobile apps don’t require a prescription. They also are not FDA-regulated and are not subject to the Health Information Portability and Accessibility Act.

Challenges and Future Considerations

Despite its numerous benefits, telepsychiatry isn’t free of challenges. Technological literacy among both patients and providers remains a barrier, as does the loss of in-person interaction, which can impact the patient-provider relationship.

In addition, the need for both patients and providers to have access to reliable internet and digital devices is a key area of importance. Plus – concerns about patient confidentiality and security must be addressed to assure the privacy of any sensitive health information that’s transmitted electronically.

Furthermore, the transition to telepsychiatry requires careful thought about impact on the patient-provider relationship. While virtual sessions offer convenience and accessibility, some patients may prefer the intimacy of in-person sessions. It will be essential to strike the right balance between using technology to improve care delivery and preserving the trust-based therapeutic relationship between patients and providers.

There is also a need for standard protocols and guidelines around the use of telepsychiatry to guarantee patient safety and confidentiality. Looking ahead, effective and responsible implementation of telepsychiatry will take careful planning and collaboration among health care providers, policymakers and technology experts.

But the upside is that the more clinicians who practice telepsychiatry, the more access patients have to much-needed mental health care.

All in all, telepsychiatry offers a promising solution to improving access to mental healthcare, particularly during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. By leveraging telecommunications technology, mental health providers can reach patients regardless of geographical barriers, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and overall well-being.

With continued support and investment, telepsychiatry has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach mental health care delivery, making it more accessible, efficient and patient-centered.