FAQs – Users

1. What is Telepsychiatry?

Telepsychiatry is the practice of psychiatry through a secure internet connection linking the patient (in his/her own home or office) to a psychiatrist in his/her office.  The only difference is that you don't have to take time off work or time to drive to a physical office. A television or computer monitor displays the video image and transmits audio, enabling a face-to-face consultation that occurs in real time. This technology benefits all involved in the process including patients, family members, psychiatrists and the remote facilities that provide the services. Telepsychiatry resolves geographic barriers allowing people in even the most remote places to see the highest qualified doctors.  Telepsychiatry  improves access to care for everybody.

2. Are your doctors employees of e-Psychiatry?

Our doctors are Independent Contractors.

3. What kind of doctor or therapist will I see?

It depends on your needs.  We have specialists in child/adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, forensic psychiatry as well as general adult psychiatry.  Some doctors and therapists have special interest or extra training in mood disorder, anxiety, trauma, sleep, sexual dysfunction, attention/concentration, addictions, etc.  You can review our doctors' profiles and decide on who you want to see based on your specific needs and his/her specific expertise or interests.

4.   Do your doctors have malpractice insurance?

Yes. All e-Psychiatry doctors are required to carry medical malpractice insurance as a term of their agreement with us  

5.   What kind of equipment do I need?

Most modern laptop computers come equipped with a webcam and a microphone/speaker.   This is usually sufficient to serve in teleconferencing.  The only other thing you need is a high-speed internet connection.  It's best if you can be hooked up to the internet via an Ethernet cable.  WiFi can work in some instances, but it won't be as good a quality as you might like.  

6. Do you provide me with the necessary teleconferencing software?

Yes.  Before your appointment, you will receive a link in your email that you will click on to download the necessary software.  

7. How often can I see a doctor or therapist?

That is a decision that will be made jointly between you and your doctor and/or therapist.  Sessions are usually more frequent in the beginning until you are more stable, and then the sessions grow further and further apart.   

8.   What if my doctor or therapist is on vacation or sick?

It can be arranged for you to see a provider who is covering for your doctor or therapist during such times.    

9. How do I make an appointment?

You can do it online directly on our website.   

10. How do I pay for my appointment?

Online via our secure payment system.  You can use a credit card, debit card, or electronic check, or you can use your PayPal or Stripe accounts.  

11. Do I get IT support?

 We have 24/7 tech support to make sure the teleconferencing system is functioning properly, and we have existing back-up systems if needed.    

12.  What if I have an emergency?

Call 911 and/or go to the nearest emergency department.    

13.   Why use e-Psychiatry instead of some other telepsychiatry company?

We provide rigorous screening and credentialing of every doctor/therapist.  We provide the teleconferencing software license(s), website homepage, 24/7 IT tech support, electronic medical record, electronic health record, electronic patient health record, electronic prescribing, training, scheduling, billing/collection, toll-free phone and fax, administrative support, and very high quality professional liability insurance.    

14. How does the doctor prescribe medications for me?

Medications are prescribed electronically or called into the pharmacy of your choice.  Certain prescriptions do require a paper Rx and an original signature.  In such instances, the doctor will mail you the paper Rx directly to your home for you to take to your local pharmacy.    

15.  Can I be seen in the evenings or on weekends?

Many of our doctors and therapist do offer evening and weekend hours.    

16.   How do I schedule an appointment?

The easiest way is online directly from our website. Each provider has a link to follow that will guide you through the appointment process.    

17. Will telepsychiatry replace seeing a doctor in person?

Telepsychiatry should not be seen as a substitute or replacement. It should be seen as a supplemental tool. Technology will not replace people. But people benefit from technology. There will always be a need for in-person interactions between patients and psychiatrists. But patients and doctors need to have as many options in how to interact as possible.    

18. Do you have doctors who speak my native language?

You can use e-Psychiatry's provider selection tools to identify providers who We currently have doctors who speak Chinese, French, Spanish, Hindi, German and Portuguese.  We are working on adding many more doctors, and we have a particular interest in providing patients with doctors who speak their native language.