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The COVID-19 pandemic forced many healthcare workers into virtual mode, offering their services via Zoom or other video outlets.
Mental health services were among those embracing the technology. A survey of clinicians at 18 mental health centers in 11 states, reported on the Psychiatry Advisor website, found that 73% who used two-way video to treat patients found the experience “excellent” or “good.”
Sixty-six percent who used phone-based services said the same. Only 4% who used video, and 3% who relied on phones, rated the experience “poor” or “very poor.”
Overall, the most common advantages cited by providers were flexible scheduling or rescheduling (77%), timely appointment starts (68%), and a decline in no-shows (52%).
There were some disadvantages, including technical difficulties by patients using devices (52%), lack of closeness or connection with patients (46%), and technical difficulties on the provider end (39%).
Still, 64% of providers in the survey plan to continue using telepsychiatry in some capacity after the end of the pandemic.