Telepsychiatry and E-Mental Health

The challenge of providing mental health care in the 21st century is considerable, both in the industrialized and developing world. This is the first book to cover the emerging practice of telepsychiatry and e-mental health. Focusing on both clinical and educational applications, the international team of authors demonstrate the broad spectrum of technologies currently available to health professionals including video, Internet and telephony. This book presents a unique and formidable overview of current academic literature which complements a comprehensive selection of practical ideas and advice on technical, clinical and medicolegal areas. Direct experiences of real-time telepsychiatry give the reader first-hand information about how diagnoses and patient management can be achieved. In addition, the authors explain how the Internet can provide advice and information to doctors, plus self-help or even therapy to patients. The future of mental health provision, including the economics of such services and the particular challenges faced by health professionals in the developing world, is discussed through experimental ideas such as the development of commercial online clinics and automated diagnosis. Written by experts with substantial experience from across the world, this book is designed to provide a comprehensive companion to all mental health professionals: trainee and qualified psychiatrists whether practising or considering using telepsychiatry and the Internet, nurses, psychologists, social workers, managers, mental health service planners and administrators, and IT staff working in the mental health sector.