Telepsychiatry with incarcerated youth.
OBJECTIVE
Incarcerated adolescents have a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders but lack psychiatrists to provide ongoing care. Telepsychiatry may provide one solution to treating this underserved population.


METHODS
Interactive video conferencing was used to connect a minimum security correctional facility with a regional telemedicine program. Clinical records were reviewed to examine utilization, demographics, diagnoses, pharmacotherapy, and patient satisfaction.


RESULTS
During the 29-month study period, 115 youth were treated using 275 telepsychiatry visits. Substance-use, behavioral, and emotional disorders were highly prevalent. Eighty percent (80%) of the youth were successfully prescribed medications. Youth expressed confidence with the psychiatrist's recommendations but expressed concerns about privacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Telepsychiatry can successfully deliver services to incarcerated adolescents with a wide range of psychiatric needs. A patient-centered approach that directly assesses adolescents' satisfaction is recommended to ensure youths' optimal involvement in needed services.
Myers
Kathleen
K
Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA. kathleen.myers@seattlechildrens.org
Valentine
Jeanette
J
Morganthaler
Roxanne
R
Melzer
Sanford
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D017216:Telemedicine; D049269:Videoconferencing