Practical Telepsychiatry

Until the current COVID-19 pandemic, telepsychiatry has been scarcely used in routine clinical practice in our country.

In recent years, some hospitals and health centers linked to the National Health Service (SNS) have progressively included the option of Telehealth visits in its offer of services, but without providing professionals with technological means (webcams, microphones) or training. However, the current crisis related to the pandemic has created a new reality that required important changes in the practice of outpatient medical visits in general and mental health visits in particular.

The recently published SNS guidelines in Spain advocate that, although the first consultations of new patients should be face-to-face, most of the outpatient activity and the continuous follow-up of the patients will be carried out from now on through telemedicine. Therefore, there is a very significant gap between the current level of experience and familiarity with the practice of telepsychiatry among professionals, and the expected level required by the guidelines.

From a public health perspective, it is important to prioritize the allocation of public and private funds and resources to expand the implementation of telepsychiatry and its integration in multiple clinical settings, including primary care . Channeling funds in this direction can contribute to better preparedness for and management of similar current and future public health crises, when travel restrictions need to be overcome, to maintain access to treatment when mobility is compromised. The provision of additional resources must be complemented by adequate training of doctors and also by actions to familiarize patients with the use of telepsychiatry.

This SEP initiative aims to fill the educational gap among psychiatry professionals in Spain, reaching more than 80% of its members (1,277 psychiatrists) and providing them with training in telepsychiatry and logistical support.
http://www.sepsiq.org/

Open enrollment for the following school periods:

1st edition: from June 1 to August 29, 2021
2nd edition: from September 1 to November 28, 2021
3rd edition: from December 1, 2021 to February 27, 2022
4th edition: from March 1 to May 29, 2022