ERIC Number: EJ756966
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 3
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0890-765X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Rural versus Suburban Primary Care Needs, Utilization, and Satisfaction with Telepsychiatric Consultation
Hilty, Donald M.; Nesbitt, Thomas S.; Kuenneth, Christina A.; Cruz, Grace M.; Hales, Robert E.
Journal of Rural Health, v23 n2 p163-165 Spr 2007
Context and Purpose: Rural and suburban populations remain underserved in terms of psychiatric services but have not been compared directly in terms of using telepsychiatry. Methods: Patient demographics, reasons for consultation, diagnosis, and alternatives to telepsychiatric consultation were collected for 200 consecutive, first-time telepsychiatric consultations at rural and suburban clinics. Findings: Rural patients were more likely than suburban patients to be younger than 18 years, using Medicaid, and needing treatment planning (lest they be referred out of the community). Rural patient and primary care physician satisfaction was higher than that of suburban counterparts. Conclusion: Telepsychiatry programs may enhance access, satisfaction, and quality of rural care.
Descriptors: Psychiatric Services, Telecommunications, Patients, Clinics, Physicians, Access to Health Care, Comparative Analysis, Rural Population, Suburbs, Disproportionate Representation, Health Programs, Satisfaction, Program Effectiveness
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A