Table 1 Profile of patients seen via tele-psychiatry from January 2010 to 2011
Consumer profile | Jan 2010 to Dec 2011 (N = 134) |
|---|---|
Mean Age (SD) | 75.89 (SD 7.55) |
Female (n, %) | 81 (60.4%) |
Place of residence (n, %) | |
Private own/rental, Independent house | 96 (71.6%) |
Residential Age Care Facility (RACF) | 25 (18.7%) |
Hospital | 7 (5.2%) |
Not stated | 6 (4.5%) |
Physical disability (n, %) | |
No disability | 90 (67.2%) |
Visual/hearing impaired | 21 (15.7%) |
Unsteady gait/ restricted mobility | 17 (12.7%) |
Not stated | 6 (4.5%) |
Difficult Speech/aphasia | 2 (1.5%) |
Medical Illnesses (eg: hypertension, diabetes, infections, renal impairment, cancers) (n, %) | |
2 or more medical conditions | 96 (71.6%) |
Single medical condition | 16 (11.9%) |
No medical illness | 17 (12.7%) |
Not stated | 5 (3.7%) |
Standard Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE) | |
Mean score (SD) | 24.44 (SD 4.98) |
Not mentioned (n, %) | 61 (45.5%) |
Reason for referral (n, %) | |
Depression/anxiety | 58 (43.3%) |
Difficult-behaviors (odd/confused/paranoid/manic/aggression/uncooperative) | 26 (19.4%) |
Not specified | 28 (20.9%) |
Self-harm ideation/attempt | 16 (11.9%) |
Others (alcohol use, medication side effects, capacity) | 6 (4.5%) |
Person accompanying the patient (n, %) | |
Member of the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) /clinician | 69 (51.5%) |
Clinical nurse (RACF/hospital/practice) | 56 (41.8%) |
Family (spouse/son/daughter) | 53 (39.6%) |
Not stated | 9 (6.3%) |
GP | 5 (3.7%) |
DSM IV diagnosis (n, %) | |
Major Depressive Disorder | 51 (38.1%) |
Bipolar Disorder | 20 (14.9%) |
Dementia | 18 (13.4%) |
Schizophrenia/Schizo-affective disorder/Delusional Disorder/Psychotic Disorder NOS | 14 (10.5%) |
Anxiety disorders (PTSD, Panic Disorder, NOS) | 11 (8.2%) |
Adjustment Disorder | 11 (8.2%) |
Delirium | 9 (6.7%) |
Medication side effects | 7 (5.2%) |
No axis 1 diagnosis | 3 (2.2%) |
Substance dependence/abuse | 2 (1.5%) |
Recommendations provided (n, %) | |
Medication recommendation only | 55 (41.0%) |
Medication recommendation + psychosocial supports and services | 32 (23.9%) |
Recommended further medical evaluation/inpatient admission+/− medication recommendation | 34 (25.4%) |
No further changes | 13 (9.7%) |