For Immediate Release

Contact: Rob Grant, Communications Director
202.966.7300, Ext. 119
rgrant@aacap.org

Samantha Phillips, Communications Coordinator
202.966.7300, Ext. 154
sphillips@aacap.org

AACAP Releases Policy Statement on Telepsychiatry

Washington, DC, July 6, 2017 - The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is pleased to release a new policy statement on the delivery of child and adolescent psychiatry services through telepsychiatry. Telepsychiatry is not a new treatment but a venue for the delivery of evidence-based psychiatric care. As the policy statement asserts, it has the potential to increase access to quality mental health services in several major ways.

First, it allows psychiatrists to deliver care directly to youth and their families over geographic distance and settings. Second, it improves the quality of care by disseminating psychiatric expertise for specific disorders. Third, telepsychiatry offers collaboration with primary care physicians to support their skills in providing mental health care, particularly in evolving integrated care models such as the pediatric medical home. Read more on AACAP’s position:

AACAP Policy Statement, "Delivery of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services Through Telepsychiatry"

The necessity and the timeliness of this resource cannot be understated. By declaring a strong stance on this current topic, AACAP aims to improve the health of youth everywhere.

Our policy statements are created to demonstrate the opinions of the organization, based on the input of our member experts. This policy statement in particular expresses our support of each state passing legislation to allow the delivery of psychiatric services through videoconferencing by child and adolescent psychiatrists and other physicians licensed in the state in which a patient is receiving care. AACAP further recommends that each state mandates third-party payers to reimburse telepsychiatry services on par with psychiatric services delivered in person.

If you would like to speak to an expert, please reach out to communications@aacap.org.

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Representing 9,200+ child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children's mental health.

AACAP Members actively research, diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents and their families. For more information please visit www.aacap.org.