Related Experiment Videos
Telemedicine services to a county jail
C Zaylor1, P Whitten, C Kingsley
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7341, USA. czaylor@kumc.edu
Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
|May 4, 2000
Summary
Telepsychiatry services in jails are rare. A pilot project at Lyon County Jail provided 264 consultations, demonstrating effective treatment for inmates and acceptance by staff and patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Telemedicine
- Criminology
Background:
- Jails have limited access to psychiatric care.
- Telepsychiatry offers a potential solution for incarcerated populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and evaluate a telepsychiatry pilot project in a local jail.
- To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of remote psychiatric consultations for inmates.
Main Methods:
- A telepsychiatry service was established between Kansas University Medical Center and Lyon County Jail.
- 264 telepsychiatry consultations (70 initial, 194 follow-up) were conducted with jail inmates.
- Inmate and jail personnel acceptance of the technology was assessed.
Main Results:
- High demand for services, exceeding projections by fivefold.
- Effective treatment of moderately to severely ill inmates via videoconferencing.
- Positive acceptance and integration of telepsychiatry into jail operations.
Conclusions:
- Telepsychiatry is a viable and effective method for delivering psychiatric care to jail inmates.
- The project successfully addressed a critical gap in correctional mental health services.
- The technology was well-received by both inmates and jail staff.