Telepsychiatry and other cutting edge technologies in Covid-19 pandemic:
bridging the distance in mental health assistance
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Initially identified in December 2019 in China, the 2019
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is now affecting more than 200 countries
and territories around the world. Given the current unavailability of an
effective medical cure for COVID-19, a public health strategy of reduced
social contact and shelter in place has been adopted worldwide.
Nonetheless, social distancing and isolation could also represent risk
factors for mental disorders, determining loneliness, reduced social
support and under-detection of mental health needs. Along with this,
social distancing determines an insurmountable obstacle for direct
access to psychiatric care services. The pandemic generates the urgent
need for integrating technology into innovative models of mental
healthcare. AIMS: In this paper we discuss the potential role of
telepsychiatry and other cutting-edge technologies in the management of
mental health assistance. We narratively review the literature to
examine advantages and risks related to the massive application of these
new therapeutic settings, along with the possible limitations and
ethical concerns. RESULTS: Telemental health services are particularly
feasible and appropriate for the support of patients, family members and
health-care providers during this COVID-19 pandemic. The integration of
telepsychiatry with other technological innovations (e.g., mobile apps,
virtual reality, big data and artificial intelligence) opens up
interesting future perspectives for the improvement of mental health
assistance. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic situation shows us how
vast the amount of untreated mental illnesses can be. The pandemic
crisis can contribute to spread, among numerous mental health
professionals, the knowledge of the possibilities offered by the digital
era.