Video consultations from an Indian academic hospital: First 3 years of experience from telepsychiatric after-care clinic

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NMJI2021v34n5p261.pdf (170.64 KB)
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2021-10
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All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Abstract
BACKGROUND Continuity of care for psychiatric disorders by conventional in-person consultation by psychiatrists is associated with several challenges. There is a need to develop alternative models of specialist care. We studied our 3 years’ experience of live video consultations (VCs) from the tele after-care clinic to patients with psychiatric disorders at an Indian academic hospital. METHODS We did a file review of 669 VCs provided to 213 patients in the first 3 years (2017–2019) from the telemedicine centre of a tertiary care academic hospital. We analysed details of sociodemography, clinical profile, tele after-care consultations and outcome. RESULTS Two hundred and thirteen patients (55% men) were enrolled for the tele after-care clinic. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 42.2 (17.29) years and a majority were educated till high school and beyond. Patients with severe and common mental disorders constituted 60.1% and 40%, respectively. Among the total 669 appointments, 542 (81%) VCs were successfully provided; of the remaining, 125 were cancelled and 2 were aborted due to a medical emergency. Medication prescriptions were unchanged in 499 and modified/totally changed in 47 VCs. CONCLUSION Our large study shows that telepsychiatric after-care is a useful alternative method which can supplement in-person follow-up. Barriers such as distance, cost and medical illness can be overcome using tele after-care clinics for regular follow-ups in stabilized psychiatric patients. There is a need for prospective studies, preferably, randomized controlled trials comparing effectiveness of tele after-care with in-person consultations to assess treatment outcomes.
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MATH SURESH BADA, NAGENDRAPPA SACHIN, MUKKU SHIVA SHANKER REDDY, HARSHITHA NISHA R, VENU MEKALA A, MANJUNATHA NARAYANA, KUMAR CHANNAVEERACHARI NAVEEN, SIVAKUMAR PALANIMUTHU THANGARAJU, THIRTHALLI JAGADISHA. Video consultations from an Indian academic hospital: First 3 years of experience from telepsychiatric after-care clinic. The National Medical Journal of India. 2021 Oct; 34(5): 261-265
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https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/218159
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National Medical Journal of India