The Doctor is Online: An Introduction to Text-based Telepsychiatry

Authors

  • Melissa Lee University of Toronto
  • Reha Kumar University of Toronto
  • Ronald Leung McMaster University

Abstract

Text-based e-counselling has the potential to expand and improve the delivery of telepsychiatric services. Despite the loss of visual connection in patient-physician interactions, text-based communication offers many unique advantages. Patients often feel more comfortable with self-disclosure when communicating online and through text. Online mediums are also more accessible for patients who may face geographic, financial, or social barriers to receiving traditional in-office psychiatry. While text-based telepsychiatry is highly cost-effective, a number of privacy and security concerns exist and must be taken into consideration for future implementation.

Published

2017-05-31