Some Information On Telepsychiatry For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

By Annabelle Holman


Individuals who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and live in remote areas can now receive psychiatric services through telepsychiatry . It is a kind of treatment that uses live video conferencing to provide psychiatric care at a distance. Telepsychiatry for post-traumatic stress disorder is proving to be an effective way of treating the illness.

This type of method was first used in the year 1950 in the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute as an aid for teaching. Eventually, the researchers in that university realized that a lot of patients and their families actually liked it. Now researchers from Dartmouth Medical School discovered that this method was extremely effective in gaining rapport with the patients and also establishing a good connection with psychiatrists.

In the year 1994, around sixteen programs were already utilizing this method. In 1997, more than twenty five programs were already utilizing it. Nowadays, this method is widely being used and it is still continuing to be used because it is extremely convenient to both the psychiatrist and the patient.

Telepsychiatry is slowly becoming a popular way of treating post traumatic stress disorder. Many patients suffering from this condition who were provided psychotherapy through video conferencing showed fewer symptoms and were less depressed, anxious and stressed. Although treatment via video conference does not improve the symptoms as much as in person treatment, it still provides a major improvement.

Now there are even some patients who are diagnosed with this disorder who would say that this type of treatment is really good. They said that the doctors can be able to contact them even though they are miles away. With this, the doctor is able to give them psychiatric services even if they are not presently at the clinic of the doctor.

Now another very important thing to know about people with this condition is that they are extremely scared of going to crowded areas. Now if they would be in crowded places or travel long distances, there is a chance that their condition may actually get worse. It is here that video conferencing can be pretty useful because it allows the doctors to give treatment while the patient is at home.

Aside from the convenience video conferencing provides, it is also proving to be boosting the adherence of patients to the therapy and lowering the cost carried by institutions. There are fewer cancellations of patients in video conferencing as compared to in person treatment. Also, it would cost institutions less if they treat patients via video conferencing. One ongoing cost analysis shows that it would cost around 94,000 dollars treating a hundred patients via video sessions and 106,000 dollars treating them in person.

Telepsychiatry has been growing throughout the years as it has been one of the most effective methods of treating patients who have PSTD. It is in fact a medical breakthrough in this field because it allows the patient and the psychiatrist to connect more easily. This is definitely a great way to treat those suffering from this disorder.




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