TELEPSYCHIATRY FAQS

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1. What is telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry is a the application of Telemedicine to the field of Psychiatry. A psychiatrist conducts a regular psychiatric consultation with a patient via state-of-the-art, 3D videoconferencing equipment.

2. How do I become a patient?
To become a patient, you will first need to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider, and have him or her write you a referral into the project. The Project Assistant, Carrie Burke, will contact you to schedule a 30 minute appointment once she has received your referral. Together, you and Carrie will fill out the new patient paperwork. Following this, you will wait for a call from Carrie to schedule your first telepsychiatry appointment.

3. What type of person is right for this project?
If you are a resident of San Juan County and your primary care physician feels you are in need of psychiatric services, you are a prime candidate. Patients must be willing to complete questionnaires before and after their appointments, as well as have their vital signs taken each time they come in for a session. If at any time the patient wants to quit participating, they have the right to do so.

4. Who can make a referral?
Any health care provider who can make a referral to any specialist can make a referral to this project. This includes physicians, physician assistants, and ARNPs.

5. Who can I call with my questions?
If you have any questions or concerns with the project and it's details, you can call Carrie at 360-317-6572 or email carrieb@interisland.net.

6. Why did IIMC receive this grant?
IIMC received this grant to increase access to psychiatric services in San Juan County. Because we are remotely located, it takes a lot of time and money to leave the islands to see a psychiatrist in person. In addition, there are no practicing psychiatrists in the county who will serve people of all socio-economic statuses.

7. What if I don't have a primary care provider?
If you don't have a primary care provider you will need to get one to participate in the project. If you are unsure of your options, contact Carrie, who has a list you can choose from.

8. How does the videoconferencing equipment work?
The equipment is state-of-the-art technology called Telepresence, that allows you to have eye contact with the psychiatrist because of dual mirror reflections. There is no delay in picture or sound.

9. What is the cost of the project?
The project provides FREE telepsychiatry services to residents of San Juan County. This includes the sessions with the psychiatrist only, and not the prescriptions or appointments with your primary care provider.

10. What are the goals of the project?
The two goals include the following: to increase access to psychiatric services for underserved populations and to influence third party payers to pay for such services in order to sustain services over the long term.

11. How long does the project run?
The grant runs for 3 years, from May 1, 2007 through April 30, 2010. Our hope is to continue the project after the grant money runs out, and have insurance companies make telepsychiatry a reimburseable benefit.

12. Will the psychiatrist be my therapist?
No, a psychiatrist is not a therapist or counselor. Instead, the psychiatrist makes a diagnosis and recommends treatment options such as medication and/or therapy. However, the psychiatrist will continue seeing each patient once a month, until he feels they are stable. At this point, the patient will be overseen by their primary care doctor and the psychiatrist will be available to the PCP by phone.

13. How many times will I see the psychiatrist?
Your first appointment is a consultation and will last approximately 1 hour. Following this, you will be seen monthly for 30 minute follow-up appointments until the psychiatrist feels you are stable.

14. Who will be prescribing the medication?
Dr. Olga Suslova, the psychiatrist, will be prescribing the medications. She will fax the prescription to your pharmacy and it will be ready to pick up the following day.

15. How is my primary care doctor involved?
Your primary care provider (PCP) is involved greatly in this project and will work collaboratively with Dr. Suslova during the telepsychiatry sessions. After your first consultation, the project assistant will fax the diagnosis to your PCP. Once you are stable enough to be overseen by your PCP, exit notes will be faxed as well.