Evaluation and Implementation of a Telepsychiatry Trial in the Emergency Department of a Metropolitan Public Hospital

ABSTRACT

Telepsychiatry via video conferencing is not new to mental health but has been expanding at a rapid rate over recent years. Initially it was introduced for treatment in remote and rural communities, but it is now being utilized in larger health settings due to increasing patient demand and cost-effectiveness. Emergency departments are becoming increasingly burdened, as the workforce cannot keep pace with the rising demand of patient mental health needs. While telepsychiatry has been shown to have treatment efficacy, research is still relatively new, especially within the emergency department context.

KEYWORDS:

• E-therapy
• impact of technology
• telehealth

Acknowledgements

The researchers would like to gratefully acknowledge the support from Dr. Richard Barnes (consultant psychiatrist), Mr. Dan Nicholson (active manager) and Jenny Dempster (Angliss Hospital).