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Four-year Experience of Videoconferencing-based Telepsychiatry Service in Patan Hospital: An Observational Study
Bigya Shah1, Pawan Sharma1, Gaurav Bhattarai2
1Department of Psychiatry, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Introduction:
Telepsychiatry has emerged as a valuable modality to bridge mental health gaps. Despite its huge potential in Nepal, it remains understudied. This study described the profiles and experiences of the patients using the free videoconferencing-based telepsychiatry service initiated at Patan Hospital, a public tertiary care center in Nepal, over four years.
Methods:
A retrospective review of clinical records and patients' feedback about the videoconferencing-based telepsychiatry service from May 2021 to May 2025 from the existing service was conducted. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics using Microsoft Excel 2016.
Results:
A total of 430 consultations were provided to 145 patients, with a mean age of 34.88±15.27 years; 79 (54.48%) were male, and 123 (84.83%) patients were from outside the Kathmandu Valley. 47 (32.41%) patients had anxiety disorders, followed by psychotic disorders in 44 (30.35%), depression in 18 (12.41%), and bipolar disorder in 14 (9.66%) patients. 69 (47.59%) patients used benzodiazepines, followed by second-generation antipsychotics (46.21%) and SSRIs (40.69%). A subset also received non-pharmacological interventions (21.38%). 49 (81.67%) patients preferred videoconferencing-based telepsychiatry service over face-to-face visits for the initial consultation, and 57 (95.0%) for follow-up visits. However, only 35% followed up.
Conclusions:
Our study highlights that implementing a videoconferencing service in a public hospital setting in Nepal is possible and it is preferred by psychiatry patients.
