Ensuring Successful Telepsychiatry Program Implementation: Critical Components and Considerations

Abstract

Telepsychiatry in the USA witnessed exponential growth in the last decade, having been proven to be a cost-effective and sustainable approach to delivering high-quality mental health services. This surge was aided by the availability of high-speed Internet, improved software, and an increase in demand paired with expanded reimbursement models. Despite a growing interest in adopting telepsychiatry programs, many health organizations continue to face challenges at the implementation stage. This review aims to identify the critical components and the associated challenges met at the planning, deployment, and maintenance phases of telepsychiatry program implementation. Four critical components for telepsychiatry implementation have been identified: (1) patient population, (2) originating site, (3) tele-clinician, (4) the information and communications technologies, and a potential fifth (5) a telepsychiatry organization to help align these components. Recommendations to anticipate and address these challenges include assessing the needs of the patient population, incorporating standardized processes and data analytics into existing organizations workflow, sourcing qualified and culturally competent tele-clinicians and providing ongoing clinical oversight, technological support, and monitoring of connectivity. The rapid growth of telepsychiatry programs in the USA is concomitant with a number of critical implementation challenges. Recommended strategies and applied solutions are discussed in this review.