Once pegged as science fiction, telemedicine is now an established part of our lives. Already on the rise in the early 2000s, the ability to interact virtually but in real time with your doctor really came of age during the COVID-19 pandemic. It transcends both distance and type of practice, offering patients the ability to access needed and affordable health care with ease.
At Umbrella HealthCare, Dr. John Lewis and his staff offer both in-office and telemedicine services for their patients in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. Telemedicine is uniquely suited for psychotherapy purposes and comes with a number of benefits. Here’s what you can expect if you schedule a psych telemedicine visit.
The birth of telemedicine
Telemedicine as more than just an idea began in the 1940s in Pennsylvania. Doctors there sent radiology images 24 miles from one township to another over a telephone line — the first electronic medical record transfer. In the 1950s, a Canadian doctor improved upon the technology to form a teleradiology system in and around Montreal.
The development of modern film technology led to serious calls for some kind of video medicine, and in 1959, doctors at the University of Nebraska used video communication to transmit information successfully to medical students on the other side of the campus. Five years later, they linked to a state hospital to provide video consultations.
As technology continued to develop, new and more widespread uses for virtual health services became a part of the everyday world.
What is psych telemedicine?
Telemedicine allows you to access Umbrella HealthCare’s psychiatric services without needing to come into our office. A telemedicine visit works just like a face-to-face meeting, only you access the appointment using your computer or other device with our secure video conferencing connection.
The technology we use works in much the same way as apps like Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom, which you’re probably already using. That means it’s not only convenient, but it will also be easy for you to use.
A psych telemedicine visit covers the same ground as an in-person visit:
- Counseling and talk therapy
- Mental health evaluations
- Medication therapy management
- Prescriptions for medication
You don’t need to do anything to prepare for your appointment other than sign into the video link at the scheduled time. You’ll be able to communicate directly and in real time with your provider, so it’s just as if you were in the room with them.
If you’re concerned about the security of your personal data over an internet connection, don’t be. Umbrella HealthCare’s platform complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations. That means we have strict security measures in place to ensure the confidentiality of your personal health information.
If you need psychiatric services but want to meet with a therapist in the convenience of your own home, psych telemedicine is for you. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call Umbrella HealthCare at 623-242-1389, or book online with us today.