title: Asynchronous telepsychiatry in maharashtra, India: study of feasibility and referral pattern.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a paucity of published telepsychiatry results in India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of asynchronous telepsychiatry and to study the referral patterns.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in the telemedicine unit of a tertiary care center and design was retrospective analysis of 94 cases, which were diagnosed and treated by telepsychiatry.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 94 patients who were referred between January 2007 and August 2013 for telepsychiatry consultations were retrospectively analyzed to assess the referral pattern and feasibility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparisons between demographic parameters and psychiatric diagnosis was done using Chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 89 out of 94 (95%) patients it was possible to make a definitive diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment only on the basis of data received from the primary care physician by telepsychiatry. This indicates the feasibility of telepsychiatry. The most common problems for which referrals were made included schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, mood disorders and substance related disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the feasibility of Asynchronous telepsychiatry. Additional Indian studies should be conducted to build the evidence base for the best use of asynchronous telepsychiatry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Grant Government Medical College, Sir J. J. Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Vanshree Patil
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Balasinorwala
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, LTM Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Nilesh B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Grant Government Medical College, Sir J. J. Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Soumya D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Grant Government Medical College, Sir J. J. Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Vinayak P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Grant Government Medical College, Sir J. J. Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Yusuf A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Matcheswalla
keywords: Asynchronous; India; telepsychiatry