title: Responding to mental health emergencies: implementation of an innovative telehealth service in rural and remote new South Wales, Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mental health is a national priority in Australia, and the need is greatest where access to specialist care is poorest, in the rural and remote regions of the nation. The Mental Health Emergency Care-Rural Access Project (MHEC) was developed to provide 24-hour access to mental health specialists in rural and remote New South Wales using video conferencing equipment.
  
  
  METHODS
  An evaluation of the service activity of MHEC using a concurrent mixed methods approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Use of the service increased from a low base to around 60 video assessments per month at the end of the study period. Use of video assessments was greatest in the remote zone (30.7 video assessments/10,000 population/year). The number of people referred to a mental health inpatient unit declined (50 fewer patients, representing a decrease from 73% to 52% of all admissions between 2008 and 2009). Both patients and providers found the service helpful. Most patients (81%) stated that they would recommend or use the service again.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This service is well positioned to have an increasing effect on emergency nursing and patient outcomes, as well as potentially on transportations. Continued use of MHEC suggests that video conference technology is acceptable and offers responsive specialist emergency mental health care to rural and remote communities.
authors: Centre for Remote Health Research, BrokenHill University Department of Rural Health, The University of Sydney, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. emily.saurman@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au
authors: Emily
authors: E
authors: Saurman
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Perkins
authors: Russell
authors: R
authors: Roberts
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Roberts
authors: Martyn
authors: M
authors: Patfield
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Lyle
mesh_terms: D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004630:Emergencies; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health; D009517:New South Wales; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*