Since the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine and telemental health services have become popular with institutions due to their ease of use, scheduling flexibility, lower costs, and elimination of transportation barriers. While telemental health can be a great option for your employees, residents, or patients, there are some limitations to virtual services. But what are the benefits and drawbacks of telemental health services?
Let’s dig deeper into telemental health benefits and limitations, and how to find the best provider to partner with.
5 Benefits of Telemental Health for Organizations
Whether you are a hospital, community health center, school, or correctional facility, telemental health options like telepsychiatry services can make it easier and more cost-effective for those in your care to receive the psychiatric care they need.
1. Increased Access to Care
Not every institution has a mental health professional on staff or nearby who can be available whenever one of your patients needs help. Telehealth bridges the gap, making psychiatric care accessible, regardless of location.
- Reaches underserved populations, including rural areas, remote areas, low-resource areas, and correctional settings.
- Reduces wait times for psychiatric evaluations and follow-ups.
- Removes transportation needs and barriers.
- Offers cost-effective specialty care (e.g., child psychiatry, substance use support).
2. Continuity of Care
The increased access to real-time patient care provided by telepsychiatry and other telemental health services leads directly to better continuity of care. Treatment stays consistent and uninterrupted, which helps build a better relationship between patients and their mental health care providers.
- Builds better communication between providers and their patients.
- Provides constant remote patient monitoring of the treatment process and medication adherence
- Provides the ability to keep notes within one health record, allowing all providers access to information in order to ensure continuity of care
- Seamless follow-up appointments, even across state lines or after discharge.
- Greater availability of care increases the ability of patients to make appointments at times they would otherwise not be available
- Supports transitions between inpatient and outpatient settings.
3. Cost Efficiency
As institutions across the board cut costs, telehealth services like telepsychiatry ensure your employees, patients, or residents still receive the quality mental health care they need while also providing you with cost savings.
- Reduces overhead related to on-site services, such as office space
- Reduce the need for a set number of staff – no need to pay salary for providers not in use
- No need to pay recruitment, onboarding, benefits, or other extra costs involved with direct hiring
- Flexible staffing models — scale up or down as demand changes.
- Lower patient no-show rates.
- Decreases transportation budgets.
- Able to catch issues and refer to a lower level of care than an emergency room, lowering costs and inconvenience to patients.
Learn more about the cost of in-person vs. telemed services in hospitals.
4. Convenience and Flexibility
Of all the benefits of telemental health we’ve discussed thus far, convenience and flexibility are always at the top of the list for institutions. While in-person treatment is still necessary, high-quality virtual visits allow organizations to provide better mental health care to their clients, while many times being able to stretch out the time between each on-site appointment.
- Meets patients where they are — home, school, or facility.
- Simplifies scheduling with fewer logistics.
- Less time spent in waiting rooms.
- Great option for residents who have mobility or transportation challenges.
- Provides more access to mental health specialists.
5. Broader Provider Networks
While a general telemental health service like telepsychiatry will meet the mental health care needs of the majority of your residents, some may require additional care from a specialist. For example, maybe a resident needs to see a neuropsychologist or addiction counselor. Telehealth makes this a much easier process without adding more travel time to your schedule.
- Tap into a nationwide network of psychiatrists and mental health professionals.
- Remove transportation barriers that may make it very hard for residents to meet with specialists.
- Gives patients the option to find psychiatrists that work for them, rather than just choosing the geographically closest one.
- Fill staffing gaps without lengthy recruitment cycles.
Drawbacks and Limitations of Telemental Health (and How to Address Them)
Everything in life has its pros and cons, and telemental health is no exception. While telepsychiatry offers numerous benefits, it may not be for every patient or every institution. Here’s a look at the top four drawbacks of telemental health and how they can be overcome.
1. Technology Barriers
Telehealth services require access to a computer or tablet with a video camera and microphone for videoconferencing, as well as a fast and reliable internet service. Slow internet or computer glitches can be frustrating for both mental health care providers and patients during video calls. Plus, some patients may not be comfortable using a computer.
- Solution: Offer a hybrid care model or assist with in-person digital navigation, and supply devices and internet service.
2. Limited Suitability for Certain Diagnoses or Situations
While telepsychiatry and other telemental health care providers are able to both diagnose and treat the majority of conditions, there may be some instances where a patient still needs an in-person visit to confirm a diagnosis through a physical examination.
- Solution: Offer coordinated treatment recommendations to in-person partners and integrate crisis response protocols.
3. Licensing and Regulatory Hurdles
Every state has its own rules and guidelines for any form of telemedicine services, so institutions need to take the time to understand what they need to do and follow. Any telemental health care provider your institution works with needs to be licensed in your state. And each health insurance provider, including Medicare, has its own regulations when it comes to telemental health care regarding reimbursements, deductibles, and co-pays.
- Solution: Work with partners who handle credentialing, compliance, and telehealth regulations on your behalf.
4. Patient Engagement Challenges
Some patients may not be comfortable talking to someone over the computer, and building rapport through a screen can be harder for some patients. There may be language barriers to overcome, or patients may become too easily distracted and “turn off” when their remote mental health care provider is trying to engage with them.
- Solution: Train providers in virtual engagement strategies and trauma-informed telehealth practices.
When Telemental Health Is the Right Fit
Now that you have a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of telemental health, how do you know if it’s the right care system for your institution?
Telemental health is the right fit if you and your employees or patients need:
- Convenient and flexible outpatient psychiatric care and medication management
- Consistent and ongoing follow-ups
- Better access to mental health care specialists
- A scalable solution for correctional health, emergency departments, and crisis stabilization units
- Cost-effective option for schools, rural hospitals, or community health centers facing psychiatrist shortages
How to Choose a Telemental Health Provider
Today, there are many telemental health care providers available. It’s important to find the one that fits the needs of your institution and specific patient population the best.
Look for a telemental health provider who offers:
- A nationwide network of credentialed psychiatrists who are licensed to practice in your state
- Experience in your care setting (e.g., hospital, corrections, outpatient, pediatrics)
- Coverage through your medical insurance provider
- Flexible, customizable scheduling and staffing
- Fully secure platform to ensure complete medical information privacy and HIPAA compliance for patients
- A user-friendly system that any patient can use with a little training
- Integration with existing EHR systems
- In-person backup options when needed
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Expanding Access
Telemental health‘s benefits have the potential to increase access and streamline psychiatric care delivery for all those in your care. While no system is perfect, with the right partner and protocols in place, virtual mental health care can dramatically improve outcomes for patients and operations for organizations.
To learn more about how our telepsychiatric care solutions can support your organization’s mental health goals, call FasPsych today at 480-269-9249 or get a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Benefits and Drawbacks of Telemental Health
Are telehealth services HIPAA-compliant?
Reputable telehealth providers like FasPsych use encrypted, HIPAA-compliant platforms to ensure secure communication and protect patient privacy. All sessions are conducted in private, secure environments, and providers follow strict confidentiality protocols.
How do I know if my patients will prefer the use of telehealth for mental health services?
Many patients appreciate the flexibility, privacy, and convenience of telehealth, especially those who face barriers to in-person care like transportation, mobility issues, or stigma. We recommend offering face-to-face care as an option and collecting feedback through surveys or intake forms to understand patient preferences and needs.
What types of healthcare providers and clinicians are available via telehealth calls?
Depending on your organization’s needs, you can access board-certified psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed therapists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. Our provider network spans a wide range of specialties, including child and adolescent psychiatry, substance use treatment, and crisis stabilization. To request an in-person provider or psychotherapy services, simply reach out to us and we’ll connect you with a qualified healthcare professional.
What types of services can be delivered through telemental health?
Telemental health can support psychiatric evaluations, prescribe medications online, facilitate therapy sessions, crisis interventions, and ongoing follow-up care. It’s especially effective for outpatient care and can be adapted to many clinical environments, including hospitals, primary care clinics, schools, and correctional facilities.
Is telepsychiatry as effective as in-person care?
Yes. Numerous studies have shown that telepsychiatry is just as effective as in-person care for most mental health conditions. Patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes are often equal or better, particularly when virtual care increases access or reduces wait times.
What technology is required to implement telemental health services?
At minimum, a secure device (computer, tablet, or phone) with a camera, microphone, and a reliable internet connection is needed. Many organizations use HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms integrated with their EHR. Our team can help assess your technology readiness and recommend best-fit solutions.
How does telemental health handle high-acuity or emergency cases?
Telemental health can effectively support high-acuity and emergency cases, especially when integrated into a hospital or facility’s existing protocols. While we don’t initiate emergency procedures directly, our providers are available 24/7 for on-call coverage, ensuring timely support for facilities that have their crisis response systems in place.
Can telemental health be integrated into our existing care model?
Absolutely! Virtual mental health care can be fully integrated into your workflows, whether you’re augmenting in-person staff or filling persistent gaps in psychiatric coverage. Whether you’re working at a prison offering mental health services, an emergency department, or other type of medical facility that provides mental health services, we offer custom implementation plans that align with your operational and clinical goals.