A referrer and patient evaluation of a telepsychiatry consultation–liaison service in South Australia

Abstract

A study was carried out to describe the patient population assessed by a telepsychiatry consultation-liaison service in rural South Australia, and to assess the referrers’ and patients’ satisfaction rating with this service. The study was performed in two parts, with retrospective and prospective components. The author completed a semi-structured interview for each patient (n=75) with a Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) for the prospective group (n=32). A questionnaire was also sent to all referrers seeking an evaluation of the usefulness of the telepsychiatry interview in terms of assessment and management recommendations and outcome. Patients from the prospective group were sent a questionnaire examining their evaluation of the usefulness of the interview in terms of assessment and management recommendations, and difficulties with the technology. The patient population was characterized by high rates of affective disorder and personality disorder, and high indices of developmental disturbance. Referrers reported high rates of satisfaction with the service. Nursing staff rated the service more positively than general practitioners. The usefulness for assessment was rated more highly than for management.