Travel Prevention Using Telepsychiatric Services: A Review

Background: Telepsychiatry is a type of mental health service delivery using information and communication technology for patients living far from psychiatrists It can reduce the number of travelers looking for mental health services. This study aimed to review articles that reported the percentage of prevented travels or referrals using telepsychiatry.Methods: The PubMed database was searched in September ۲۰۱۹ for this review study. Data were extracted from admitted studies based on a series of variables consisting of author, country, modality, referral setting, urgency, study design, sample size, and percentage of prevented travel. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data.Results: Eight studies were included. Half of these studies were conducted in Australia. Real-time telepsychiatry modality was used in most of the studies (۷۵%). The hospital was the most referral setting in the studies (۶۲.۵%). The type of telepsychiatry services delivered in ۷۵% of the studies was elective. The study design of ۶۲.۵% of studies was prospective. The number of included participants in the studies ranged from ۲۸ to ۱۹۴۳. The percentage of avoided travels ranged from ۱۲ to ۷۹.Conclusion: Successful telepsychiatry systems could prevent unnecessary referrals and travels. However, the effective use of telepsychiatry services depends on various factors, including the type and period of the disease, the therapist’s efficacy in terms of correct diagnosis and treatment, and patient cooperation.

Keywords:

Telemedicine , Telepsychiatry , Travel , Referral , Prevent , review