Telepsychiatry vs In-Person Psychiatric Care: What Should Patients Consider?
When comparing telepsychiatry vs in-person care, the right format depends on the patient's clinical needs, preferences, location, privacy, technology and whether any part of care requires an in-person assessment.
Virtual psychiatric care is not simply an in-person appointment moved onto a screen. It changes where care happens, while many of the core clinical conversations remain the same.
What is telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry is psychiatric care delivered remotely using telehealth technology such as secure video. Depending on the clinical situation, virtual visits may include psychiatric evaluation, treatment planning, medication management and ongoing follow-up.
Patients generally attend from a private location with reliable internet, audio and video while physically located in a state where the provider is authorized to provide care.
What can be similar between virtual and in-person psychiatric care?
What are practical advantages of virtual psychiatric care?
- Less routine travel to a psychiatric office.
- Appointments can be attended from an appropriate private location.
- Follow-up may be easier to fit around work or family responsibilities.
- Patients can maintain care even when they live farther from the practice.
- Virtual visits may simplify ongoing psychiatric follow-up for some patients.
These practical advantages do not mean telepsychiatry is appropriate for every person or every clinical situation.
When might in-person care or additional evaluation be needed?
Some situations may require physical examination, laboratory testing, vital signs, emergency assessment or another service that cannot be completed adequately during a video appointment.
If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, emergency services or an emergency department may be more appropriate than waiting for a routine telepsychiatry visit.
Can psychiatric evaluations be completed virtually?
Many psychiatric evaluations can be conducted through telehealth for eligible patients when virtual assessment is clinically appropriate.
The visit may review current symptoms, psychiatric and medical history, previous treatment, medications, sleep, substance use, functioning and treatment goals.
Read more about online psychiatric evaluation at Prudent Haven.
Can medication management happen through telepsychiatry?
Many aspects of psychiatric medication follow-up can be discussed virtually when clinically appropriate and applicable requirements allow.
A follow-up appointment may review symptom response, side effects, adherence, new health information and whether the treatment plan continues to fit the patient's needs.
Some medications or clinical circumstances may require information obtained outside the video visit, such as vital signs, laboratory testing or another medical assessment.
Learn more about psychiatric medication management .
How should patients choose between virtual and in-person care?
- Consider whether the clinical service you need can appropriately be provided virtually.
- Make sure you have a private setting for the appointment.
- Confirm that your internet, camera and audio are reliable.
- Consider whether transportation or distance makes virtual care more practical.
- Confirm your state eligibility before booking.
- Ask whether additional in-person monitoring may be needed.
Frequently asked questions
Sources & further reading
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — Telehealth for Behavioral Health Care.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — Preparing Patients for Telehealth.
- American Psychiatric Association — Telepsychiatry resources.
- National Institute of Mental Health — Tips for Talking With a Health Care Provider About Your Mental Health.
Explore psychiatric care without routine travel to an office.
Prudent Haven provides secure virtual psychiatric evaluation, medication management, adult ADHD care and ongoing follow-up for eligible patients in North Dakota, Minnesota and Arizona.