In a country as large and diverse as the United States, ensuring accessible mental health services for those in need remains a major challenge. Those in rural areas or more isolated locations often have fewer mental health care options compared to city residents and may struggle with transportation to access in-person services.
As with other telehealth services, telepsychiatry is quickly becoming the solution to these accessibility issues. From videoconferencing to texting services, telepsych options have been improving by leaps and bounds in the last few years, offering numerous options to help more people receive mental health services.
At FasPsych, our team is at the forefront of telepsychiatry services. We can connect your organization with some of the leading mental health professionals to help your employees or clients receive dependable psychiatric care.
The Rise of Telepsychiatry in the U.S.
Although telehealth services predate the COVID-19 pandemic, they found their footing during the period of enforced social distancing. People who needed physical and mental health assistance no longer had the option or the desire to see a professional in person and looked for other ways of getting the help they needed.
Seemingly overnight, telehealth services took hold of the country. In the first three months of the pandemic, telemedicine encounters increased 766% throughout the nation, a statistic that only takes into account people with private health plans.
Even now, after the need for social distancing has passed, telepsychiatry services continue to be popular. A key reason is the ongoing psychiatrist shortage—mental health needs are rising, but the number of providers is not keeping pace, especially in rural areas.
Another vital regulatory update is the chance for psychiatric service providers to obtain multi-state licenses. Service providers only need a license in the patient’s state and can offer care remotely, with many holding multi-state or compact licenses.
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Telepsychiatry
Telecommunication options for mental health and behavioral health care are being impacted by several trends, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI). AI can help the diagnostic process, allowing people to receive faster and more accurate treatment.
Medical professionals are using AI to streamline note-taking, automate chart creation, and even assist in diagnoses, enhancing efficiency and patient care.
AI also makes scheduling easier and more intuitive for providers and patients. Not only does this ensure that people who need assistance receive it, but it can also help reduce wait times.
Licensing changes also enhance patient access by allowing providers to serve multiple states without obtaining separate licenses for each one, expanding their reach and network.
Additionally, mental health professionals are working more closely with primary care physicians. Integrated health care records allow for collaborative treatment between all care providers. Using electronic health records, patients receive targeted and comprehensive care that considers all aspects of their health.
One vital trend for telepsychiatry programs is ensuring compliance with national privacy and data security laws. HIPAA compliance is a guiding factor in ensuring that patient data and protected health info remain confidential, and HITECH ensures that only secure communication is used.
The Impact of Telepsychiatry on Healthcare Organizations
Healthcare organizations that adopt remote psychiatric services have successfully expanded their reach. Telemental health allows people in underserved communities to receive assistance, which improves their quality of life and also takes some of the pressure off emergency departments, which often deal with mental health crises, or correctional facilities, which see the downstream impacts of poor access to mental healthcare and often themselves aren’t designed or staffed to assist with mental health treatment..
Telepsychiatry helps organizations cut costs by providing flexible staffing solutions, allowing them to scale their workforce without the expenses of full-time salaries, benefits, or long-term commitments.
Institutions offering telehealth psychiatry services can accommodate more patients, who are also less likely to cancel virtual sessions compared to in-person appointments. By offering quick access to quality care without the need for long travel, on-demand telepsychiatry services help improve patient outcomes.
How FasPsych Is Leading the Future of Telepsychiatry
FasPsych leads the way in telepsychiatry services. One of the reasons we stand out is that we provide scalable solutions for organizations. With customization that considers all aspects of your institution, we can help you achieve cost-effective and compliant psychiatric telehealth programs.
Our team at FasPsych also ensures that your employees or clients receive the highest quality of care. We can connect you with leading board-certified psychiatrists and mental health professionals who offer proven, evidence-based treatment.
Plus, FasPsych providers will enter information directly into your existing electronic health record systems, which ensures continuity of care.. Whether you’re a small rural clinic or a large hospital in a populous city, you can implement FasPsych programs rapidly and efficiently.
What’s Next? Preparing for the Future of Telepsychiatry
Telepsychiatry can be an excellent option for many organizations, but is it right for yours? Telepsychiatry can be a powerful solution for many organizations, improving patient outcomes by increasing access to timely, specialized care while ensuring consistent coverage for mental health services in your community.
Assessing patient interest is an important consideration, as is knowing whether it’s an option in your state. Staying informed about regulatory restrictions is essential.
To begin implementing these virtual health systems, partner with dependable and trusted providers of on-demand telehealth services. We offer flexible implementation models, guaranteed HIPAA compliance, access to some of the best clinicians, and efficient integration with your existing systems. The team at FasPsych can help transform your organization.
If you’d like to offer employees or clients telemedicine services, contact our team at FasPsych to schedule a consultation and learn more about our telepsychiatry services.