Distance Consultations via Videoconferencing
Over the past 7 years we have conducted over 3,500
consultations via the videoconference medium. Urgent
clinical assessments are currently booked through the
Telepsychiatry Coordinator. Emergency Triage Liaison
Service at Glenside Hospital on 13 14 65 can provideAcute psychiatric assessments
Patients are interviewed over videoconferencing by an Adelaide based psychiatrist with a primary health care professional in attendance with the patient. This is basically a consultation liaison service, aimed at supporting the general practitioner/mental health worker in the acute management of their patients.Intensive Inpatient Support
When a patient with a mental health problem is admitted under the care of their GP to the local rural community hospital, the GP can request urgent assessment and ongoing specialist psychiatric support via videoconferencing. This allows the patient, their family and carers regular contact with a psychiatrist who can provide ongoing support and guidance to the treating GP and hospital staff.Discharge Planning
With the goal of effective integration of an inpatient back into the community, this service brings together the patient and the inpatient treating team with the treating GP/community health worker prior to patient discharge. Family member participation is also encouraged.Non acute psychiatric review
This is typically a follow up service that evaluates management plan effectiveness and reviews the patient following an initial consultation.Education
Sitting in with the patient during a psychiatric interview is a potent educational experience for the primary health care professionals. Educational support may also be offered at the completion of a clinical session or educational sessions can be organised in a more formal lecture or tutorial format. Country centres are encouraged to identify their own training needs and seek education as required in liaison with the Rural Health Training Unit of South Australia.
Interstate supervision of psychiatric registrars
Darwin based psychiatry trainees have been receiving College accredited individual supervision from Adelaide supervising psychiatrists via videoconferencing since 1995. This is proving most successful.Case conferencing
The video conferencing medium offers a means of case conferencing that involves relevant players from both city and country health centres.
Disclaimer
| Copyright Government of South Australia 1998.
