COVID‐19 and Telehealth in older adult psychiatry‐opportunities for now and the future.

Keywords: COVID-19; older adults; psychiatry; remote health care; telehealth; telemedicine EN COVID-19 older adults psychiatry remote health care telehealth telemedicine 1427 1430 4 11/30/20 20201201 NES 201201 Key points The COVID-19 pandemic and the need to ensure public and health care provider safety and continuity of mental health care provision has necessitated alternative strategies for service delivery. At the same time there has been recognition that quality provision of Telehealth is contingent upon a skill-base, regulatory framework, and commensurate funding and compensation.1 For the purpose of this paper, we define Telehealth as the use of telecommunication techniques for patient care and medical education, 2 usually remotely and with minimal or no direct patient contact from the health professional. CHALLENGES OF TELEHEALTH IN THE OLDER ADULT POPULATION Assessment Undertaking mental health assessment and providing treatment and care remotely has its challenges. Given the complexity of the risks and balances involved, including but not limited to the deprivation of liberty and other rights, minimum standards and safeguards for mental health professionals carrying out their duties under these Acts have been developed.10,11 Physical examination Perhaps the component of assessment most limited by Telehealth is physical examination. [Extracted from the article]