Philippines’ Shift To Telepsychiatry During The Pandemic

Telepsychiatry is a branch of Telemedicine. Telemedicine is the result of an amalgamation of Technology and medicine. In this field, the doctor and the patient are connected via electronic gadgets (telecommunication devices). It helps impart medical diagnostic facilities to far-flung areas where healthcare services are sparse.

Telepsychiatry allows the psychiatrists, with the help of telecommunication devices, to provide psychiatric services to people who are far from the psychiatrists or don’t feel comfortable leaving their homes to visit their psychiatrists.

Telemedicine in the Pandemic

The Coronavirus pandemic has bound the movement of non-Covid patients. Therefore, the world has made a manifold increase in the use of telemedicine during the past few months. And so had the Philippines. 

Telemedicine in The Philippines 

The Philippines has moved along with the world and has catered to the needs of its patients. Different telemedicine centers have been established where telehealth and telepsychiatry services are provided across the country.

Telepsychiatry In Philippines

Besides infecting millions of people, the Coronavirus pandemic has badly affected every human’s mental health on the earth. The need for psychiatric services has been increased during the epidemic. Along with other telemedicine services, the Philippines has also focused on increasingly providing telepsychiatry services to improve its citizens’ mental health. 

In telepsychiatry, psychiatrists are available for online consultation of the patients. This connection via the internet allows psychiatric doctors to:

• Analyze the problems of citizens
• Diagnose the conditions, and  
• Offer psychiatric therapies (individual, group, and family)

Is Telepsychiatry Effective?

You may have proposed this question to yourself. Is it even effective to consult a doctor or a psychiatrist who is not physically present with you? Well, in short, YES! Telepsychiatry is very effective in improving the mental health of people who can’t visit the psychiatric clinics.

A 2013 research claims that telepsychiatry sessions are as good as physical one-on-one meeting sessions with the doctors. It is the most useful way to transform the healthcare industry with technology. That’s why the Philippines have also shifted to telepsychiatry during the pandemic to meet the dire needs of the hour.

Advantages of Telepsychiatry

There are several benefits of modern technology in medicine and mental health. Telepsychiatry is equally effective and has significant advantages that have prompted the government and private medical organizations (of the Philippines) to adopt it readily. The advantages include:

1. Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 

According to a 2007 research published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, researchers found out that Telepsychiatry was extremely beneficial in treating PTSD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was imparted via this method.

2. An Alternative to In-Meeting Sessions

There might be several difficulties in arranging an in-meeting session between patients and doctors. Advanced mental diseases need support and have to be carried to the hospital by friends or family.  A Telepsychiatry session lifts this burden and allows direct interaction between patients and doctors, while the patient enjoys his home’s comfort. 

Besides this, the Coronavirus pandemic has increased the risk of traveling. People are limited to stay in their homes. Moreover, the risk of getting infected with Coronavirus increases in hospitals. Therefore, the Philippines ’ government and its population have adapted telepsychiatry very well and quickly.

3. Easy Method for Psychiatric Patients

Many psychiatric patients are reluctant to leave their homes for psychiatric sessions. According to research, home treatment is better for the patient and the training of the family members.  A study that compared hospital-based care and home (community) based care concluded that home care is better. Therefore, there is a solid reason for the mass population of the Philippines shifting to telepsychiatry. 

Conclusion

Telepsychiatry is a branch of telemedicine that helps impart psychiatric management and consultation via telecommunications devices. The diagnoses are accurate, the treatment is significant, and the quality of care is high in this method. That is why the Philippines and several other countries have shifted to this amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Telepsychiatry in the Philippines is very useful for both doctors and patients. 

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