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%) |