Tele-psychiatry provides mental health services using interactive video conferencing tools, such as Skype, Zoom or WhatsApp Messenger in which the Psychiatrist/Psychologist and the patient are not at the same location. This will allow the patient to receive medical care without the need to visit the office.
Potential risks however include, but may not be limited to: information transmitted may not be sufficient (poor resolution of video); delays in medical evaluation and treatment due to deficiencies or failures of the equipment; security protocols can fail, causing a breach of privacy; and a lack of access to all the information available in a face to face visit may result in errors in medical judgment.
Your Rights:
I understand that:
1) The laws that protect the privacy and confidentiality of medical information also apply to tele-psychiatry;
2) The Skype, Zoom or WhatsApp messenger platforms are known to incorporate limited networkand software security protocols to protect the confidentiality of information and audio/visual data. These protocols include measures to safeguard the data and to aid in protecting against intentional or unintentional corruption.
3) I have the right to withdraw my consent to the use of tele-psychiatry during the course of my care at any time.
4) The Consultant of Synapse Services has the right to withhold or withdraw consent for the use of tele-psychiatry during the course of my care at any time if it is deemed necessary to do so in his/her professional opinion; I will be duly informed of this as well as reason why tele-psychiatry is no longer suitable for my management.
Your Responsibilities:
1) I will not record any tele-psychiatry sessions without the prior written consent of the Consultant and I understand that my clinician will not record tele-psychiatry sessions without my consent;
2) I will inform my clinicians if any other person can hear or see any part of our session before/during the session. Likewise, they will inform me if any other person can hear or see any part of the session before/during the session.
3) I understand that my Initial consultation may not always be done by tele-psychiatry, but if that is done I will be required to verify my identity to the satisfaction of the clinician before the evaluation.
4) I understand that my payment into the company account communicated to me validates the service and only after the company accountant confirms payment will the date and time for the consultation be communicated to me.
Your signature below indicates that you have read and understand the information provided above regarding tele-psychiatry, and that you authorize the clinicians at The Synapse Centre, Synapse Services, to use tele-psychiatry in the course of diagnosis and treatment.