Video Conferencing and Tele-Mental Health Technologies Are Easy Ways to Build My Practice

Author(s):  
Jeffrey E. Barnett ◽  
Jeffrey Zimmerman

The use of video conferencing and other tele-mental health technologies may seem like an easy way to build one’s private mental health practice. Many individuals around the world do not have ready access to qualified mental health clinicians in their local area, but they do have access to the Internet. This may then seem like an obvious way to build one’s practice. But, as this chapter explains, myriad clinical, ethical, and legal issues and challenges must be considered before providing mental health assessment and treatment services across distances utilizing these technologies. Specific recommendations and key resources are offered to prepare mental health clinicians for the ethical, legal, and clinically appropriate provision of clinical services through the use of these various tele-mental health technologies.

Author(s):  
Jeffrey E. Barnett ◽  
Jeffrey Zimmerman

Some individuals may fear that the days of successful private mental health practices are over. This myth could not be further from the truth. This chapter highlights important data on the need for competent mental health professionals and the dearth of qualified mental health clinicians in many communities. Specific mental health services where there is a great need, where there often is not much competition for qualified clinicians, and where managed care is not involved are described. How to assess the mental health assessment and treatment needs of one’s local community and how to fit the services one offers into meeting these needs is explained. Specific strategies are offered for developing a viable and financially successful private mental health practice that is responsive to community needs and sustainable over time.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S563-S563
Author(s):  
V. Damle ◽  
N. Bhandary

IntroductionAssessment and Treatment Team (ATT) was developed to manage mental health referrals within the borough of Blackburn with Darwen (BwD). The ATT became the main point of initial referral and assessment for adults presenting with mental health needs. It acts as the gateway service for access to specialist mental health services.AimTo evaluate the effectiveness of ATT against the key performance indicators.MethodsQuantitative data was collected using electronic database from June 2014–May 2015. Feedback was obtained from GPs and also from patients who attended ATT over a one-week period.ResultsThe ATT received a total of 2234 referrals. A total of 73% were seen within 10 working days of the referral. Assessment outcome letters were sent to the GPs within 48 h in 47.53% cases. Referral rates to community mental health and Crisis teams were 7% each showing an overall reduction compared to the previous service. GP satisfaction – 70% were ‘moderately satisfied’ and 30% were ‘very satisfied’ with ATT. Hundred percent felt the service was easily accessible and 90% felt that the staff were friendly. Patient Satisfaction – 96% of patients rated the team as ‘friendly and polite’. Eighty-seven percent reported that they were listened to and 91% felt their concerns were understood. Eighty-three percent felt that ATT involved them in their decision making. Ninety-two percent responded that they were likely/extremely likely to recommend ATT to their friends and family.ConclusionsThe establishment of ATT has led to improved satisfaction among GPs and service users and has resulted in reduction in referrals to secondary mental health services.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


Author(s):  
Jeffrey E. Barnett

Providing effective clinical services to underserved communities brings with it a number of ethics challenges that, if not given sufficient attention, can result in potentially well-intentioned mental health clinicians causing harm and placing themselves at risk of professional sanctions. The need to possess sufficient clinical and multicultural competence relevant to the individual in question to be able to provide clinically effective treatments, addressing language differences, and appropriately utilizing interpreters are each discussed. Knowledge of local laws and regulations when providing clinical services in underserved communities is addressed. Additionally, the practice of tele-mental health and appropriately addressing fee issues for all types of professional services provided are discussed. The need to proactively address the potential for the development of vicarious traumatization and effectively practicing self-care on an ongoing basis are emphasized for all mental health clinicians who provide treatment services to the underserved.


1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Fritz

The author examines state legislatures' approaches to provisions for mental health assessment and treatment in anti-stalking laws. The article includes a review of studies relating to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses associated with stalking, mainly erotomania. The author discusses possible constitutional implications raised by the inclusion of mental health provisions and proposes amending anti-stalking laws to include a mental health assessment of all offenders, identification of appropriate treatment, and an assessment of the offender's amenability to treatment.


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