Telepsychiatry in Correctional Facilities: Using Technology to Improve Access and Decrease Costs of Mental Health Care in Underserved Populations

Abstract

Increasing access to mental health care for this underserved group through telepsychiatry may improve living conditions and safety inside correctional facilities. Providers, facilities, and state and federal governments can expect increased savings with utilization of telepsychiatry.

Videoconferencing in psychiatry, a meta-analysis of assessment and treatment

“…An advantage of videoconferencing is the possibility to reach under-served patients without this being influenced by their ability to physically reach hospitals and ambulant services, greatly impacting patients' quality life worldwide. This might be particularly relevant given that: psychiatric disorders are common; and a relevant part of psychiatric patients are not effectively treated because they live in areas that are not effectively served by hospitals or ambulant services [8][9][10][11].…”

Path analytic modeling of psychologists’ openness to performing clinical work with telepsychology: A national study

“…Another study conducted by Crow et al () comparing the costs of treatment for 128 women diagnosed with bulimia nervosa found in‐person CBT interventions cost $9,324.68 per recovered client while CBT utilizing telepsychology cost $7,300.40 per recovered client. A meta‐analysis of studies examining telepsychology in correctional facilities found telepsychology saved correctional institutions anywhere between $12,000 and $1 million while increasing access to mental health services to inmates (Deslich, Thistlethwaite, & Coustasse, ).…”

Locum Tenens and Telepsychiatry: Trends in Psychiatric Care

“…8,12 There are potential cost and coordination advantages to telepsychiatry. 13,14 There are an estimated 600 companies in the newer and less organized telepsychiatry industry. 15 In 2013 a small percentage (13.1%) of U.S. healthcare facilities used telepsychiatry 6 (15.4% in 2010 in another survey 7 ).…”