FAQ
Telepsychiatry — Information for Patients
What is telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry is a consultation conducted by video or via a personal computer between you and your psychiatrist at a distant location. The consultation may occur at home, at your general practitioner’s practice, or in a hospital.
Is using telepsychiatry compulsory?
No. If preferred, a face-to-face consultation can be organised, but it will require you to travel. There may be a longer waiting time to see a psychiatrist. A video consultation will only be offered if the psychiatrist and general practitioner consider it safe and suitable.
What if the appointment is cancelled?
Video consultations require significant coordination, so it’s important to keep the appointment. If you need to cancel, notify your psychiatrist or general practitioner immediately, as rescheduling is more complex than with face-to-face appointments.
How does a telepsychiatry consultation work?
The psychiatrist will speak with you and ask you questions in the same way they would during a face-to-face consultation.
What are the limitations of video consultations?
The session may drop out unexpectedly, and another person may need to help reconnect it.
What are the benefits of using telepsychiatry?
It improves access to psychiatric care, reduces travel time and costs, and minimizes time away from work or other responsibilities.
Who’s eligible?
Everyone is eligible. However, Medicare claims are only possible if:
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You live outside a major city and are more than 15 km from the psychiatrist.
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You are not currently admitted to a hospital.
People in aged care facilities or receiving Aboriginal medical services are exempt from these restrictions.
What can I expect?
You can expect the same standard of care as a face-to-face consultation. You may have an interpreter, health worker, or multicultural worker present if desired (note: Medicare does not cover this cost). You can stop the video consultation at any time and request an in-person session.
What preparation is required for a video consultation?
If you’d like a family member or carer present, inform them. If attending with your general practitioner, arrive at least 15 minutes early for preparation.
What about privacy and confidentiality?
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You must give permission for your information to be shared.
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The same privacy rules apply as in face-to-face consultations.
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No information will be shared outside those involved in your care.
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If you’re at home, your psychiatrist will explain the IT format and privacy risks.
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Sessions won’t be recorded unless deemed helpful for treatment, in which case written and on-camera consent will be required.
Telepsychiatry — Information for Families and Carers
What is telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry is a consultation conducted by video or via a personal computer between the person you support and their psychiatrist at a distant location. The consultation may occur at home, at the general practitioner’s practice, or in a hospital.
Is using telepsychiatry compulsory?
No. If preferred, a face-to-face consultation can be organised, but it will require travel and possibly a longer wait. A video consultation is only offered if the psychiatrist and general practitioner consider it safe and suitable, and if the person you support agrees.
What if the appointment is cancelled?
Video consultations require significant coordination, so it’s important to keep the appointment. If the person you support needs to cancel, inform the psychiatrist or general practitioner immediately, as rescheduling is more complex than for face-to-face appointments.
How does a telepsychiatry consultation work?
The psychiatrist will speak and ask the person you support questions in the same way as during a face-to-face consultation.
What are the limitations of video consultations?
The service may unexpectedly drop out, and someone may be called to help reconnect the session.
What are the benefits of using telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry improves access to care, reduces travel time and costs, and may help reduce stress and prevent crises. If you accompany the person, you may not need to take as much time off work.
Who’s eligible?
Everyone is eligible. However, Medicare claims are only possible if the patient:
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Lives outside a major city and is more than 15 km from the psychiatrist.
-
Is not currently admitted to a hospital.
People in aged care facilities or receiving Aboriginal medical services are exempt from these restrictions.
What preparation is required for a video consultation?
If you’re accompanying the person you support, arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow for preparation.
What can I expect?
You may be part of the video consultation if the person you support requests it.
What about privacy and confidentiality?
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The person you support must give permission to share information.
-
The same privacy rules apply as in face-to-face consultations.
-
The psychiatrist won’t share information with anyone not involved in the person’s care.
-
If the session is done at home, the psychiatrist will explain the IT setup and any privacy/security risks.
-
The session won’t be recorded unless it’s helpful for treatment. In that case, written and on-camera consent will be obtained.