Description

As telemental health care gains in popularity, it gives rise to a number of significant legal and regulatory issues.

Telemental health is the use of electronic means or technology to provide mental health services by any mental health discipline.  It is not a separate medical or mental health service.  It is simply a different means through which a practitioner can deliver services that have historically been delivered in person in the mental health field.  Telemental health is discipline neutral, meaning that all mental health disciplines can use the technology modality to provide services. 

The research into telemental health has consistently shown it to be an effective delivery system for mental health services.  Some studies have even found telemental health services may actually be preferable to in-person care in certain populations and situations. Children, adolescents, and veterans in particular, seem to especially benefit from the use of telemental health.  Telemental health is NOT the be-all and end-all in the delivery of therapy.  Nor is it for every patient or every practitioner.  Clearly, there are limitations.  The limitations may be driven by a particular practitioner’s level of skill or confidence in treating certain cases online.  

One of the greatest challenges to clients with mental health concerns is access to care.  As the demand for mental health services, in all age groups and all diagnoses, increases the opportunity exists to leverage telehealth technology and provide a level of access to providers that all clients deserve.  Telemental health has its own set of specific legal rules and guidelines.  With the increased use of telemental health in your practice, understanding and complying with the legal considerations is an essential component of a telemental health appointment.  This course is to designed for all who practice or plan to practice telemental healthcare.  Upon completion you will have the knowledge and skills to provide high quality care for your clients and maintain compliance with all legal standards.

This CME course is brought to you using a “virtual classroom” that can be accessed 24/7/365 on any device connected to the internet using any network.  Once enrolled it will never leave your account and will be updated as needed.