Telehealth
Telehealth (or telemedicine) means having your clinical care and clinical information provided to you via mobile phones, smartphones, computers and tablets. In the era of COVID 19 and social distancing, telehealth is becoming a major way of getting clinical care.
Telehealth is fairly new to mental healthcare in Ireland, and this may be the first time you have used it.
Your clinician will talk you though it and decide with you if it is the right thing for your needs. You will be asked to consent.
It is important to get the most out of Telehealth and these tips may help:
- Check you have good internet, and put your phone on Wi-Fi mode to save data
- Take a few minutes beforehand to list your worries and questions
- Sit at a table or desk so it feels like a consultation
- Have a pen and notebook near you to jot down notes
- Make sure you are within view of the camera - you may have to prop up your phone
- Make sure you have privacy and will not be disturbed
- Introduce any other people present in the room
- If you find it difficult to hear, see, or understand, please make sure to say so. This is not as easy as when you are both in the same room - the other person may not realise any difficulty unless you tell them.
A combination of in person and virtual appointments may be used. In recent times the use of Video Enabled Care through Attend Anywhere (AA) has supported patients to connect with their Adult ADHD service. Clinicians can also provide support and interventions online and your clinician will decide if this is an option for you following discussion with you. It can allow therapy to be provided in your own environment, supporting accessibility without the constraints of travel and provide a blended approach to linking with the service.
