Telepsychiatry and geriatric care

The use of telecommunications--telephone, computer, videoconferencing equipment--to provide mental health services at a distance has grown rapidly. This review encompasses reports from programs that provide telepsychiatry services, including telephone- and computer- based education and support services, telephone screening for dementia, and the use of videoconferencing to provide psychiatric consultations, health education, and administrative support. The extensive experience to date supports the value of telepsychiatry. Applications in geriatric settings and research involving geriatric subjects are reviewed. Cost analyses and economic evaluations of telepsychiatry are preliminary at this time and need further refinement. There is great potential for using telecommunications to expand access to mental health services to underserved geriatric populations.