Telepsychiatry- Based Care for the Treatment Follow-Up of Iranian War Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Journal Title: Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences - Year 2019, Vol 44, Issue 4
Abstract
Background: Physical limitations, distance, and time are major obstacles to access to mental health services for veterans and soldiers. This study was aimed at comparing the efficacy of telepsychiatry and face-to-face consultation as methods of treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The comparison was based on treatment costs, access to health services, completion of therapy sessions, and patient satisfaction as variables. Methods: This research was a double blinded clinical trial supported by Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and conducted in 2015 to 2016 in Tabriz, Iran. Totally, 60 patients were included in the study. Through simple randomization, the patients were divided into experimental and control groups, both of whom were treated through face-to-face consultations for the first 3 sessions. Six follow-up sessions were then held remotely with the experimental group and face to face with the control group. Data were collected using a self-designed and reliable questionnaire and entered in SPSS, version 16. Intergroup comparisons were performed using descriptive statistical measures. Finally, the results were tested using the t test method. Results: A significant relationship was found between the use of information technology and increased patient satisfaction, completion of therapy sessions, and reduction in treatment costs; however, no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of reduction in waiting time and access to a psychiatrist. Conclusion: Telepsychiatry is an effective means of delivering mental health services to psychiatric outpatients living in remote areas with limited resources. The results provide preliminary support for the use of telepsychiatry in treating PTSD and improving access to care. Trial Registration Number: IRCT2016020826449N1
Authors and Affiliations
Yousef Haghnia, Taha Samad Soltani, Mahmood Yousefi, Habib Sadr, Peyman Rezaei-Hachesu
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP620115
- DOI 10.30476/IJMS.2019.44944
- Views 92
- Downloads 0
Effects of Folic Acid on Appetite in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Treated with Methylphenidate: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Background: The highly effective medications in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are stimulants like methylphenidate. However, they have adverse effects like reduced appetite. We investig...
Hereditary Ataxia with a Novel Mutation in the Senataxin Gene: A Case Report
Hereditary ataxias (HA) are a group of inherited neurological disorders caused by changes in genes. At least 115 different mutations in the senataxin (SETX) gene causing ataxia have been identified. There are no reports...
The Impact of Echium Amoenum Distillate, Aragh Gav-Zaban, on Naturally Boosting Fertility: Potential Ameliorative Role in Male Mice Reproductive Parameters
Background: Iranian borage, Echium amoenum, is believed to improve reproduction according to folk medicine. Although E. amoenum distillate known as “Aragh Gav-zaban” is widely consumed as a safe and natural remedy, its p...
The Epidemiology of Skeletal Tuberculosis in Northeast of Iran: A Review of 229 Cases
Background: The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has increased in recent years in both developed and developing countries. Skeletal tuberculosis occurs in approximately 1% of patients with tuberculosis. The present study a...
An Unusual Case Report: Occurrence of Renal Cell Carcinoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in a Case of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Treated with Radioactive Iodine
The standard therapy for thyroid cancer is total or near total thyroidectomy, followed by the administration of radioactive iodine for remnant ablation or residual disease. Patients with radioiodine therapy are predispos...