The timeliness of Telepsychiatry

Both worldwide and in Hungary, telemedicine and telepsychiatric guidelines and legal regulations have come into force in connection with the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, which are aimed at both the current situation and the future. Due to the need for social distance and isolation during the epidemic, there was a need for the use of telemedicinal solutions in psychiatric care as well. This consisted primarily of telephone and videophone visits from the home of psychiatric patients. By now, we seem to be facing protracted waves of epidemics, which could also mean a prolongation of the quarantine state, so changes in psychiatric patient care are even more necessary and will be expected, so telemedicine/telepsychiatry is expected to gain even more ground. The rapid development and introduction of the practical application of telepsychiatric applications, which appeared many years ago (mainly in the United States), can be expected. In the United States, for example, the frequency of telepsychiatric visits is predicted to be 47% for the near future, and the American Psychiatric Association is constantly publishing new and newer guidelines for telepsychiatry related to the COVID-19 epidemic. The recommendation of the Psychiatry and Psychotherapy section of the Professional Health College of EMMI in connection with the COVID-19 care system has also been published in Hungary. According to the latter, the use of telepsychiatry and e-prescription was also recommended, which is also included in the rules of procedure issued by the Child Psychiatry Section. (Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2021; 23(2): 266-271).