Telehealth Psychiatrist
As people become accustomed to using different channels of communication such as Zoom, increasingly they are choosing to see a telehealth psychiatrist. This has always occurred with regional and rural patients. We are now starting to see patients from urban areas choosing telehealth to see their psychiatrist. This is for convenience and an increase in choice of available psychiatrists. It is also valuable to those who experience significant anxiety in leaving the home.
Concerns You May Have About Seeing a Telehealth Psychiatrist
Seeing a telehealth psychiatrist might seem daunting at first. Would the technology work? What if my telehealth psychiatrist is not very good? Will I get an appointment in time? What if I want to see them longer term? Is my information kept secure/confidential?
What to Look for in a Telehealth Psychiatrist
There are a few telehealth psychiatry services out there, and it is important to choose carefully. You would want to ensure that the psychiatrists available to you are experienced. Their experiences to date should be clear from the bio profiles on the website. There should be a clear sense from the service’s admin staff the wait-time for appointments.
Experience is not everything. You also want your telehealth psychiatrist to be empathic and to put you at ease. Rapport and engagement can be a bit trickier online. A good psychiatrist will navigate these challenges and be able to make you feel safe quickly, so that they can get the most helpful information from you in the time that you have. Empathy is a crucial component of this. You should not feel rushed and should feel the psychiatrist cares.
What We Do Differently
At Acumen Psychiatry, we are happy to do a ‘test run’, to ensure all your technology works. Our telehealth platforms are easy to use and very intuitive. We carefully review any referrals and match you to a suitable psychiatrist. We also ensure the psychiatrist has the expertise to address your issue. Our platforms are secure and we are extremely careful about maintaining patient confidentiality.
We still have a long way to go in addressing stigma around receiving mental health care. But our hope is that the ability to see a telehealth psychiatrist will make it less stigmatising. Many people who would never have dreamed of seeking mental health support are now finally accessing it.
