Some Information On 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.

In the year 1994, around sixteen programs were already utilizing this method. In 1997, more than twenty five programs were already utilizing it. Nowadays, this method is widely being used and it is still continuing to be used because it is extremely convenient to both the psychiatrist and the patient.

Telepsychiatry is slowly becoming a popular way of treating post traumatic stress disorder. Many patients suffering from this condition who were provided psychotherapy through video conferencing showed fewer symptoms and were less depressed, anxious and stressed. Although treatment via video conference does not improve the symptoms as much as in person treatment, it still provides a major improvement.

A lot of patients would have positive feedback about this method. Most of them would say that in the absence of face to face sessions, this alternative would still allow the doctors to be able to check on them. The doctors would also find this useful as they can provide services from miles away.

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.

Now another advantage that video calling would have over the in person treatments would of course be the cost. Now if a patient would cancel a session, there would be such a thing that is known as an opportunity cost. Since cancellations are less in video conferences, then the opportunity costs are less. Also, it is shown that for one hundred patients, an average of 106,000 dollars are spent on in person treatments while only 94,000 dollars are spent on the video conference treatments.

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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