Published eLetters
If you would like to comment on this article, click on Submit a Response to This article, below. We welcome your input.
Jump to comment:
- Page navigation anchor for RE: Telepsychiatric Consultation as a Training and Workforce Development Strategy for Rural Primary CareRE: Telepsychiatric Consultation as a Training and Workforce Development Strategy for Rural Primary Care
The overall purpose of this study was to examine a novel model for providing mental health care in the rural primary care setting. The model involved a consulting psychiatrist that reviewed cases and provided education to case managers and physicians. The study authors believed this model would lead to improved care and serve as a continual training opportunity to build a skilled workforce. This is of particular importance in underserved rural communities.
The group felt that the model was reliant on physician buy-in as it required more work of the primary care physician and a better understanding of their limitations. We felt that this was a potential pitfall in the model’s widespread use or was at least a factor that should be considered prior to implementation. We thought that primary care was an appropriate setting for this model as most mental health care begins at the primary office and are particularly important in rural settings.
This study was a qualitative study that utilized semi-structured interviews at 2 rural sites in Washington that had successfully implemented this method. Interviews of primary care physicians, psychiatrists, care managers, and ancillary staff were completed and themes from the interviews were developed. There was some initial discussion in the group about the fact that only well-performing sites were selected. However, we decided that because this was a pilot study using qualitative methods to examine the model, selecting wel...
Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.