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Internet Psychiatry - support and treatment from home

Distance treatment Denmark
Internet Psychiatry is a nationwide free treatment offer where you can be treated for anxiety and depression over the internet. Internet psychiatry can be narrowly defined as the use of video consultation for contact between patients and therapists. It can be used as a common denominator for the provision of distance psychiatric services using information and communication technology. Internet psychiatry and e-mental health are a form of support and treatment that use digital technologies such as video, online programmes, websites, apps, sensor technology and virtual reality.
The effect of internet-based psychological treatment of anxiety disorders and depression is particularly effective as a distance psychiatric service that uses information and communication technology. Results shows that there is no difference in the treatment results from traditional therapy in which patients physically meet with a psychologist.
The users are people diagnosed with panic disorder, social anxiety, single phobias or easy to moderate depression from the age of 18 years or above. A person cannot get treatment with this solution if the person currently is receiving psychotherapeutic or psychiatric treatment or is diagnosed with Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or related disorders, PTSD or OCD, Alcohol or drug abuse.
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Elaboration

Needs and challenges

The number of people with poor mental health is increasing.

This solution can help prevent people with mild disorders developing severe mental disorders, as the solution offers easy access to treatment.

Solution and function

People are not forced to leave their homes in order to get help from a professional. They can receive treatment and conduct their “course” whenever it suits their schedule.

This means that it is easier to continue working and it also breaks down barriers as patients don’t have to face their doctors. Patients follow the course in steps and start a new step approximately every week.

Citizens answer a questionnaire, which is examined by a psychologist in order to assess whether the person is in the target group for the type of treatment that internet psychiatry can offer.

The treatment takes place on a platform. The patient has to follow a number of treatment steps with accompanying daily exercises. During the treatment the patient learns to work with their thinking patterns. The course lasts 10–12 weeks and is based on cognitive behavioural therapy.

If the patient is not actively taking part in their course, their psychologist will contact them and talk to them about why this is the case.

Implementation

The solution is implemented nationally on a trial period until the end of 2019 as part of the financial agreement between the Government, Danish Regions and Local Government Denmark to support the healthcare actors in taking responsibility for interconnecting the patient pathways across the individual interactions with the health care sector.

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Economy

The cost is the same whether the patient and psychologist see each other face to face or via a screen.

It is likely that more people with symptoms will seek treatment at an early stage, as this minimizes stigma and other barriers associated with visiting a doctor. Patients can also register whenever they wish.

The solution costs the patient less as they don’t have to spend time travelling and they don’t have to take time off work.

Process

The workflow for treatment providers will change and they will have to get used to seeing and treating patients differently. However, experience shows that this is not difficult and that treatment providers see the benefits of changing traditional treatment methods for some patients.

The way in which patients apply for treatment might be slightly different. However, for the treatment provider, there is very little difference.

Follow-up/monitoring

After 10–12 weeks of treatment, this will be followed-up by a video call between the patient and treatment provider. The patient’s GP will receive information about the treatment and the patient’s health status.

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Communication

The patient and treatment provider communicate via video calls and text messages. The connection will be secure and no data will be seen by anyone other than the patient and treatment provider.

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More about effects

As the patient will be at home during the consultation, this will allow the psychologist to assess how the patient functions when they are relaxed because the patient would otherwise have made an effort to style their hair and wear attractive clothes.

For some patients it is helpful that the screen creates a distance between the patient and treatment provider.

Learnings

Do you want to know more about the solution?

Download the full description (PDF) »

Both patients and psychologists will need basic computer skills. The consultation works in the same way as Skype meetings.

The treatment provider will help the patient through the steps of the online course, which is very simple.

For further information about the service, visit:

http://www.internetpsykiatrien.dk/wm507883 

http://www.psykiatrienisyddanmark.dk/wm432627 

 

Can be used in all contexts in which people have access to a computer and a good internet connection.

Psykiatrien i Region Syddanmark, Lille Grundet Hulvej 25, bygning P, 7100 Vejle

Internetpsykiatri. Telepsykiatrisk Center, Region Syddanmark.