Davor Mucic
Little Prince Psychiatric Centre | Denmark
Title: Telepsychiatry in general health care practice in Denmark
Biography
Biography: Davor Mucic
Abstract
Tele psychiatry project conducted by The Little Prince Psychiatric Centre in Copenhagen has been established in cooperation with three general practitioners' clinics on the outskirts of Denmark. The project outlines the conceptual shared care model, in which psychiatrists and psychologists collaborate with general physicians in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health patients in the context of the general physician’s office by use of tele psychiatry service. A formal evaluation of the project was conducted and outcomes are discussed along with issues related to the requirements for sustaining the service over time and broadening its applicability. The results have shown that collaboration via the use of videoconferencing across levels of health care sectors can be a useful alternative that offers learning, leads to continuity, reduces costs and improves the quality of care. Tele psychiatry, in the form of videoconferencing, has been well received by patients and general practitioners as a method reducing waiting time and bridging the distance between patients and specialized psychiatric care. This model might be useful as an approach to diminish stigma which is the main reason why many patients never contact a psychiatrist. Stigma is present in the Middle East even more than in Scandinavia. That is why this model has a great potential if applied within the healthcare system in the UAE.