The South Carolina Department of Mental Health recently used Polycom’s video communications technology to deliver psychiatric services to remote patients, according to tmcnet.com. The Polycom system reportedly saved participating South Carolina hospitals more than $100,000 over the first six months of use.
Practitioners say the Polycom system also improves their quality of treatment. For example, doctors can zoom in on the patient’s pupils to determine whether he or she is under the influence of drugs or has had a true psychotic episode.
The Polycom service has resulted in a reported 55 percent drop in the average length of stay for patients, as well as the direct discharge of 40 percent more mental health patients following telepsychiatry consultations.
Teletherapy is catching on around the world.
Canadian researchers recently compared the results of 17 post-traumatic stress victims who received treatment via teleconference to a control group who underwent face-to-face therapy. The study found that both groups benefited equally.
To learn more about video conferencing and how it can help your industry, visit VTCexpress.com.
