FAQ's

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is the remote delivery of health care services and clinical information using telecommunications technology.  This includes a wide array of clinical services using internet, wireless, satellite and telephone media.

What is telepsychiatry?

Telemedicine is a way of providing health care from a distance through technology often using secure videoconferencing. Telepsychiatry can involve a range of services including psychiatric evaluations, therapy (individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy), patient education, and medication management.  Telepsychiatry may involve direct interaction between a psychiatrist and a patient. It also involves psychiatrists supporting primary care providers with mental health care consultation and expertise. 

Is it effective?

Telepsychiatry has been shown to be highly effective for a wide range of psychiatric conditions in a variety of treatment settings.

Who is it indicated for?

There is no one for whom telepsychiatry has been shown to be ineffective or inappropriate.  For some individuals, telepsychiatry may be better tolerated and more effective than in person treatment.

What is Collaborative Care Consultation Telepsychiatry?

Collaborative Care is a specific type of integrated care developed at the University of Washington that treats common mental health, such as depression and anxiety, that require systematic follow-up due to their persistent nature. Based on principles of effective chronic illness care whereby trained primary care providers and embedded behavioral health professionals provide evidence-based medication or psychosocial treatments. Interventions are supported by regular psychiatric case consultation and treatment adjustment for patients who are not improving as expected.

For more information, visit the AIMS Center at the University of Washington