Telemental healthcare has been shown to produce significant improvements among mental health patients.

Telepsychiatry care most often involves a patient examination based primarily on a verbal interview, and interventions that may include aspects of talk therapy, patient education, and pharmacological management. The Department of Psychiatry has experience providing psychiatric care through the University of Arizona Telemedicine Program (ATP) serving patients in areas of limited accessibility.

Dr. Joanna Katsanis works with the ATP addressing important needs for behavioral health services in rural areas. She provides telemental health services to adolescents and their families on the Navajo Reservation using a wireless telecommunications system with direct connections into the two high school clinics in Tuba City, Arizona. Mental health services are provided without the students leaving their schools. Services include diagnosis, assessment, individual and family psychotherapy and consultation.

Additionally, researchers at our department have been involved in research geared to determine the acceptability, diagnostic adequacy, and treatment outcomes of this mode of service. This broadly available and affordable technology may be applied to improve the quality of care of the underserved.

For more information on partnership opportunities, please contact:
Glory Novak
The University of Arizona
Department of Psychiatry
1501 N. Campbell Ave
PO Box 245002
Tucson, Arizona 85724-5002
Telephone (520) 626-2184
Fax (520) 626-4070
novakg@email.arizona.edu