A feasibility study of the use of asynchronous telepsychiatry for psychiatric consultations.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the feasibility of conducting psychiatric consultations using asynchronous, or store-and-forward, video-based telepsychiatry.


METHODS
Video-recorded 20- to 30-minute assessments of 60 nonemergency, English-speaking adult patients in a medically underserved county in California were uploaded along with other patient data to a Web-based record. Two psychiatrists then used the record to provide psychiatric consultations to the referring primary care providers.


RESULTS
Eighty-five percent of patients received diagnoses of mood disorders, 32% diagnoses of substance use disorders, 53% diagnoses of anxiety disorders, and 5% other axis I diagnoses. Psychiatrists recommended short-term medication changes for 95% of the patients and provided guidelines for possible future changes.


CONCLUSIONS
This study-the first study of asynchronous telepsychiatry to be published-demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. This type of assessment should not replace the face-to-face psychiatric interview, but it may be a very helpful additional process that improves access to care and expertise.
Yellowlees
Peter M
PM
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. peter.yellowlees@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Odor
Alberto
A
Parish
Michelle Burke
MB
Iosif
Ana-Maria
AM
Haught
Karen
K
Hilty
Donald
D
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017216:Telemedicine; D014741:Video Recording