VI integrated telemental health program

Aim: To increase access to tele-psychiatry in rural/remote communities on Vancouver Island.

Summary: The project plans to introduce a Telehealth model to improve client access to care and ensure timely access – thereby reducing the need to travel, improving patient care and reducing the potential for hospitalization. Clients will attend Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) offices with the support of an attending Mental Health Clinician and providers will be connected from Victoria or Nanaimo.  Data will be collected over two years to identify sustainable outcomes, including 
1) improved access, 
2) improved patient satisfaction, 
3) patient cost-savings, and 
4) reduced wait times.