Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti - Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Jan;75(1). doi: 10.1111/ijcp.13716. Epub 2020 Oct 13.
At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was identified in China. The high potential of human-to-human transmission led to subsequent COVID-19 global pandemic. Public health strategies including reduced social contact and lockdown have been adopted in many countries. Nonetheless, social distancing and isolation could also represent risk factors for mental disorders, resulting in loneliness, reduced social support and under-detection of mental health needs. Along with this, social distancing determines a relevant obstacle for direct access to psychiatric care services. The pandemic generates the urgent need for integrating technology into innovative models of mental healthcare.
In this paper, we discuss the potential role of telepsychiatry (TP) and other cutting-edge technologies in the management of mental health assistance. We narratively review the literature to examine the advantages and risks related to the extensive application of these new therapeutic settings, along with the possible limitations and ethical concerns.
Telemental health services may be particularly feasible and appropriate for the support of patients, family members and healthcare providers during this COVID-19 pandemic. The integration of TP with other technological innovations (eg, mobile apps, virtual reality, big data and artificial intelligence (AI)) opens up interesting future perspectives for the improvement of mental health assistance.
Telepsychiatry is a promising and growing way to deliver mental health services but is still underused. The COVID-19 pandemic may serve as an opportunity to introduce and promote, among numerous mental health professionals, the knowledge of the possibilities offered by the digital era.
2019 年末，在中国发现了一种新型冠状病毒（COVID-19）。其极高的人际传播潜力导致了随后的 COVID-19 全球大流行。许多国家都采取了减少社会接触和封锁等公共卫生策略。然而，社交隔离和孤立也可能成为精神障碍的风险因素，导致孤独、社会支持减少和心理健康需求未被发现。除此之外，社交隔离也决定了直接获得精神保健服务的一个相关障碍。大流行产生了将技术融入精神保健创新模式的迫切需求。
在本文中，我们讨论了远程精神病学（TP）和其他前沿技术在管理精神卫生援助方面的潜在作用。我们对文献进行了叙述性回顾，以检查广泛应用这些新治疗环境的优势和风险，以及可能存在的局限性和伦理问题。
在 COVID-19 大流行期间，远程心理健康服务可能特别适合为患者、家属和医疗保健提供者提供支持。将 TP 与其他技术创新（例如移动应用程序、虚拟现实、大数据和人工智能（AI））相结合，为改善精神卫生援助开辟了有趣的未来前景。
远程精神病学是提供精神卫生服务的一种很有前途且不断发展的方式，但仍未得到充分利用。COVID-19 大流行可能是一个机会，可以向众多精神卫生专业人员介绍和推广数字时代提供的可能性的知识。
