Uncertainty about future use
Other experts in this field agreed. James (Jay) H. Shore, MD, MPH, director of telemedicine, Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center, University of Colorado at Denver, Aurora, has long been an advocate for the value of telepsychiatry for reaching patients with limited psychosocial services. The attention drawn to this practice by the COVID-19 pandemic has been welcome, but he does not know how it will affect the future.
Dr. Jay H. Shore
“There is too much uncertainty in the system to make a good prediction of where this may end up,” he said.
It is not just reimbursement that is at risk, according to Peter Yellowlees, MBBS, MD, chief wellness officer at the University of California, Davis. Also a longtime advocate of telepsychiatry, particularly to reach the underserved, Dr. Yellowlees pointed out that the ability to prescribe controlled substances through telemedicine and the ability to consult with patients across state lines might also be in jeopardy if and when rules for telemedicine are revisited after the pandemic.
“Many organizations are lobbying to make the pandemic changes permanent because they greatly support telemedicine delivery,” Dr. Yellowlees said, but agreed about the uncertainty regarding what policy makers will do.
Dr. Peter Yellowlees
Jayasudha Gude, MD, who is completing her residency in psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, recently led a literature review evaluating the needs and viability of telepsychiatry during and after the COVID-19 era (Cureus. 2021 Aug;13:e16974). Based on the benefits she identified in her review, she said, “I would definitely want to advocate for the continued use of telepsychiatry after the pandemic is over.” She hopes that psychiatrists who now have experience in this area will join her.
“I am hopeful that a lot of mental health providers will also be advocating since they have experience, and many will want to continue its use,” she said. Medscape Live and this news organization are owned by the same parent company. Dr. Gupta, Dr. Shore, Dr. Yellowlees, and Dr. Gude reported no potential conflicts of interest.