title: The Empirical Evidence for Telemedicine Interventions in Mental Disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research derives from the confluence of several factors, namely, the prevalence of a complex array of mental health issues across age, social, ethnic, and economic groups, an increasingly critical shortage of mental health professionals and the associated disability and productivity loss in the population, and the potential of telemental health (TMH) to ameliorate these problems. Definitive information regarding the true merit of telemedicine applications and intervention is now of paramount importance among policymakers, providers of care, researchers, payers, program developers, and the public at large. This is necessary for rational policymaking, prudent resource allocation decisions, and informed strategic planning. This article is aimed at assessing the state of scientific knowledge regarding the merit of telemedicine interventions in the treatment of mental disorders (TMH) in terms of feasibility/acceptance, effects on medication compliance, health outcomes, and cost.
  
  
  METHODS
  We started by casting a wide net to identify the relevant studies and to examine in detail the content of studies that met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Only studies that met rigorous methodological criteria were included. Necessary details include the specific nature and content of the intervention, the research methodology, clinical focus, technological configuration, and the modality of the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The published scientific literature on TMH reveals strong and consistent evidence of the feasibility of this modality of care and its acceptance by its intended users, as well as uniform indication of improvement in symptomology and quality of life among patients across a broad range of demographic and diagnostic groups. Similarly, positive trends are shown in terms of cost savings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is substantial empirical evidence for supporting the use of telemedicine interventions in patients with mental disorders.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Michigan Health System, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Rashid L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Bashshur
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Geography, University of Kentucky , Lexington, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Gary W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Michigan Health System, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Noura
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bashshur
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychiatry, University of California Davis , Sacramento, California.
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Yellowlees
keywords: evidence; mental health disorders; telemedicine; telemental health; telepsychiatry