ata practice guidelines for video- based online mental health services “the guidelines pertain to...
TRANSCRIPT
ATA Practice Guidelines for Video-based Online Mental Health Services • “The guidelines pertain to telemental health conducted
between two parties, and do not address concerns related to multipoint videoconferencing.
• These guidelines include telemental health services when the initiating, receiving, or both sites are using a personal computer with a webcam or a mobile communications device (e.g., “smart phone”, laptop, or tablet) with two-way camera capability.
• These guidelines do not address communications between professionals and clients or patients via texting, e-mail, chatting, social network sites, online “coaching” or other non-mental health services.”
(ATA, May 2013)
Clinical GuidelinesProfessional and Patient Identity and Location
• Provider and Patient Identity Verification• Provider and Patient Location Documentation• Verification of provider and patient location is Critical for 4 reasons:
Compliance with relevant licensing laws; emergency management protocol is
dependent upon where the patient receives services; mandatory reporting and related ethical requirements; and in some cases provider payment amounts are tied to location.
Clinical GuidelinesProfessional and Patient Identity and Location
• Contact Information Verification for Professional and Patient
• Verification of Expectations Regarding Contact Between Sessions
Clinical Guidelines: Patient Appropriateness for Videoconferencing-based Telemental Health
To date, no studies have identified any patient subgroup that does not benefit from, or is harmed by, mental healthcare provided through remote videoconferencing.
(Day, 2002; O’Reilly et al., 2007 & Ruskin et al., 2004)
Clinical Guidelines: Patient Appropriateness for Videoconferencing-based Telemental Health
Considerations for the appropriateness of Videoconferencing in settings where professional
staff are not immediately available
• Patient expectations & level of comfort• Patient takes an active & cooperative role• Patient’s organizational & cognitive capacities
Clinical Guidelines: Patient Appropriateness for Videoconferencing-based Telemental Health
Other considerations:• Patient is responsible for equipment set-up,
maintenance of computer settings and privacy at his or her site along with technology competency
• Geographic distance to nearest emergency medical facility, patient’s support system and medical status
Clinical Guidelines: Informed Consent
• Conducted with patient in real-time• Follow local, regional and national laws• Provider documents consent in medical record• Information included is same as in-person• Key topics include: confidentiality, emergency
plan, how patient information is documented and stored, technical failure, contact between sessions
Clinical Guidelines: Physical Environment
• Aim to provide comparable professional specifications of a standard services room
• Ensure privacy• If other people are present, announce their
presence• Seating, lighting, camera positioning
Clinical Guidelines: Communication & Collaboration with Patient’s Treatment Team
Optimal clinical management of patients depends on coordination of care between
a multidisciplinary treatment team
Clinical Guidelines: Emergency Management
1. Education and Training2. Jurisdictional Mental Health Involuntary
Hospitalization Laws3. Patient Safety in a Setting with Immediately Available
Professionals4. Patient Safety in a Setting without Immediately
Available Professionals5. Patient Support & Uncooperative Patients6. Transportation7. Local Emergency Personnel
Technical Guidelines
• Video Conferencing Application• Device Characteristics• Connectivity• Privacy
Administrative Guidelines
• Qualification and Training of Professionals• Documentation and Record Keeping• Payment and Billing