mercredi 30 juillet 2014

An Overview Of Telepsychiatry For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

By Annabelle Holman


Although there are a lot of people who are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, only a few of them would actually get treatment because of the distance. Now for those who have this problem, there is a method that is known as telepsychiatry for post-traumatic stress disorder. Basically it is a method wherein one would use video conferencing in order to treat patients who are far away.

This type of method was first used in the year 1950 in the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute as an aid for teaching. Eventually, the researchers in that university realized that a lot of patients and their families actually liked it. Now researchers from Dartmouth Medical School discovered that this method was extremely effective in gaining rapport with the patients and also establishing a good connection with psychiatrists.

By 1994, it was being utilized in approximately sixteen programs. By 1997, it was further utilized as around twenty five programs were using it. In recent times, there is vast use of this method to provide psychiatric services in patients and it is continuing to increase in usage due to its convenience and efficacy.

Although it has been accepted already, it is still slowly becoming more and more popular. In fact, there are many people who have been diagnosed with thi condition who have said that they were able to reduce their symptoms because of this treatment. Even though nothing beats face to face treatment, this can still be a good alternative just in case the former is not available.

Most patients diagnosed with PTSD states that using this method is a good option. They state that the doctor can discern the problems and the medications they need amidst the absence of face to face connection. Moreover, they said that it gave them access to psychiatric services without traveling three hundred kilometers at least once a month.

Now another factor that one would have to take into consideration is that people who are diagnosed with this are afraid to travel and go to congested places. Now it is here where this type of method can be very useful. In order for these patients to avoid reinforcing this fear, this type of method will enable the doctor to be able to still see the patient even though they are miles away.

Aside from the convenience video conferencing provides, it is also proving to be boosting the adherence of patients to the therapy and lowering the cost carried by institutions. There are fewer cancellations of patients in video conferencing as compared to in person treatment. Also, it would cost institutions less if they treat patients via video conferencing. One ongoing cost analysis shows that it would cost around 94,000 dollars treating a hundred patients via video sessions and 106,000 dollars treating them in person.

Telepsychiatry has been growing throughout the years as it has been one of the most effective methods of treating patients who have PSTD. It is in fact a medical breakthrough in this field because it allows the patient and the psychiatrist to connect more easily. This is definitely a great way to treat those suffering from this disorder.




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