COVID-19 and Telepsychiatry: Development of Evidence-Based Guidance for Clinicians

• DOI: 10.2196/21108
• Publication Date: 2020-07-10T12:27:13Z
• Authors: Katharine Smith; Edoardo Ostinelli; Orla Macdonald; Andrea Cipriani
• Keywords: Telepsychiatry

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) presents unique challenges in health care, including mental care provision. Telepsychiatry can provide an alternative to face-to-face assessment and also be used creatively with other technologies enhance but clinicians patients may feel underconfident about embracing this new way of working.The aim paper is produce open-access, easy-to-consult, reliable source information guidance telepsychiatry COVID-19 using evidence-based approach.We systematically searched existing English language guidelines websites for on the context up May 2020. We broad search criteria included pre-COVID-19 digital topics where relevant. summarized data we extracted as answers specific clinical questions.Findings from study are presented both a short practical checklist detailed textboxes full summary all guidelines. available open-access webpage, which regularly updated. These findings reflected strong evidence base use many common concerns expressed by implementation, technology, governance, safety. Guidelines across countries differ significantly, UK more conservative focused implementation US expansive detailed. possible combinations such apps (eg, Food Drug Administration, National Health Service Apps Library, Institute Care Excellence) less Several key areas were not represented. Although some special populations child adolescent, older adult, cultural issues specifically included, important learning disabilities, psychosis, personality disorder, eating disorders, present particular telepsychiatry, not. In addition, initial consultation follow-up sessions clearly distinguished. Finally, hybrid model (combining in-person care) explicitly covered guidelines.We produced comprehensive synthesis answering wide range questions telepsychiatry. This meets urgent need organizations who rapidly adapting pandemic implementing remote consultation. It reflects variations basis organizational change short- long-term. Providing easily accessible first step will implement start view just replacement parallel complementary form delivering therapy its own advantages benefits well restrictions. A combination or approach most successful world post-COVID-19, expand encompass conjunction technologies, psychiatric those access engage treatment.