Best Practices in Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health April 2018.

Telemental health, in the form of interactive videoconferencing, has become a critical tool in the delivery of mental health care. It has demonstrated the ability to increase access to and quality of care, and in some settings to do so more effectively than treatment delivered in-person. This article updates and consolidates previous guidance developed by The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and The American Psychiatric Association (APA) on the development, implementation, administration, and provision of telemental health services. The guidance included in this article is intended to assist in the development and delivery of effective and safe telemental health services founded on expert consensus, research evidence, available resources, and patient needs. It is recommended that the material reviewed be contemplated in conjunction with APA and ATA resources, as well as the pertinent literature, for additional details on the topics covered.

Peer Technical Consultant: Veteran-Centric Technical Support Model for VA Home-Based Telehealth Programs.

The increased use of personal or VA-loaned computers and mobile devices for at-home telehealth has generated a need for support from a peer technical consultant who can troubleshoot technical issues.

Telejustice: Reaching Incarcerated Veterans via Telehealth.

Telehealth offers a method to improve the efficiency of specialists in the Veterans Justice Outreach program and expands its delivery of associated services.

Meeting veterans where they're @: a VA Home-Based Telemental Health (HBTMH) pilot program.

OBJECTIVES: The first Home-Based Telemental pilot program (HBTMH) in the Department of Veterans Affairs addresses the significant challenge of access to mental health treatment for rural veterans. Though the feasibility of telemental healthcare in clinic-based settings has been well documented, the feasibility of telemental health via webcam and computer in a patient's home or other non-clinic settings is unknown. METHODS: The HBTMH program, established in December 2009 at the Portland VA Medical Center, delivers a wide range of mental health services into the homes and other non-clinic settings of rural veterans via webcam, secure and encrypted software and veteran-owned personal computers. The program adhered to a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Manual, evaluated patients with the Assessment for Suitability for Home Based Telemental Health (ASH-25), utilized a Patient Support Person (PSP), and incorporated a peer technical consultant to provide assistance to veterans. The authors describe satisfaction and safety survey results from the initial 40 veterans enrolled. RESULTS: Survey results support the feasibility and safety of using webcams, secure/encrypted software and veteran-owned personal computers for the delivery of mental health services into the home. Veterans report high levels of satisfaction and perceived safety with home-based telemental health. RESULTS also suggest fewer no-show appointments in home-based telemental health compared to clinic-based telemental health. CONCLUSIONS: The authors discuss the strength and limitations of the program as well as potential areas of future research.

ATA practice guidelines for video-based online mental health services.

Table of Contents PREAMBLE SCOPE INTRODUCTION Internet-Based Telemental Health Models of Care Today CLINICAL GUIDELINES A. Professional and Patient Identity and Location 1. Provider and Patient Identity Verification 2. Provider and Patient Location Documentation 3. Contact Information Verification for Professional and Patient 4. Verification of Expectations Regarding Contact Between Sessions B. Patient Appropriateness for Videoconferencing-Based Telemental Health 1. Appropriateness of Videoconferencing in Settings Where Professional Staff Are Not Immediately Available C. Informed Consent D. Physical Environment E. Communication and Collaboration with the Patient's Treatment Team F. Emergency Management 1. Education and Training 2. Jurisdictional Mental Health Involuntary Hospitalization Laws 3. Patient Safety When Providing Services in a Setting with Immediately Available Professionals 4. Patient Safety When Providing Services in a Setting Without Immediately Available Professional Staff 5. Patient Support Person and Uncooperative Patients 6. Transportation 7. Local Emergency Personnel G. Medical Issues H. Referral Resources I .Community and Cultural Competency TECHNICAL GUIDELINES A. Videoconferencing Applications B. Device Characteristics C. Connectivity D. Privacy ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES A. Qualification and Training of Professionals B. Documentation and Record Keeping C. Payment and Billing REFERENCES.