How to Get the Most From Your Telepsych Visit

By Mallory Danielson M.P.H., PA-C

Communication over video has become the preferred method of many patients and providers given the situation with COIVD-19. Cedar Psychiatry does have video visits, or Telepsych as we like to call it, available to any patient doing a follow-up or intake visit.

HOW TO UTILIZE TELEPSYCH

1. Make an appointment, let the staff know you’d like to have this visit be a Telepsych visit.

2. Before your appointment please go to Cedar Psychiatry’s website (https://www.cedarpsychiatry.com/telepsychiatry) to find your provider’s individualized digital waiting room.

3. This will take you to doxy.me, a HIPAA compliant, secure website that hosts our video chats

4. You don’t need to make a log-in, just follow the prompts to let your provider know you’re there

5. Once they’re ready, your provider will initiate the video chat.

HOW TO MAKE TELEPSYCH THE MOST EFFECTIVE

Most of us have used Google Hangouts or Facetime before but have never used it in a professional setting. To have your Telepsych visits be as effective, personable, and useful as your in-person visits we have a few tips:

1. SHOW UP EARLY

Head to your provider’s digital waiting room 5-10 minutes early to take advantage of doxy.me’s “Pre-call Test”. This will ensure your internet, camera, and microphone are working.

2. FRAME YOUR FACE

It’s hard to do a Telepsych visit when the other person is just a dark shadow or the camera is looking directly up their nose! Try to set up or hold your camera so it is still, so you can see your whole face, and try to have a light shining on your face so you can be seen.

3. CALL FROM A PRIVATE PLACE

Talking about your mental health can be difficult and personal. Make it a little easier by calling from a private place without interruptions. Try calling from a room with the door closed or even your parked car.

4. CALL FROM A QUIET PLACE

Having conversations in the background, the radio going, or other noises can detract from your conversation with your provider. Remember that this appointment is important to your mental health, take it seriously, and keep background noises to a minimum. Use headphones to reduce feedback.

5. BE ENGAGED

Video makes it easy to get distracted and forget proper conversation etiquette. Do your best to keep eye contact by looking into the lens of your camera. Stay still, don’t walk around, or do something else during your appointment. Remember, this is still your visit, respect your time and the time of your provider by making the most of this video call.