5 Misconceptions About Virtual Doctor Visits for Depression

Telehealth, also called telemedicine, is the use of digital technologies such as a computer or smartphone to manage health care and connect with medical professionals remotely. It has grown in popularity over the last few years for people living with a variety of health conditions, from diabetes to depression. Telehealth for depression can be particularly beneficial, as it provides a convenient way to stay in touch with your mental health provider on a regular basis. Yet even as these virtual doctor visits have become more popular, telehealth misconceptions abound.

Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health providers can provide the same type and quality of care using telemedicine as they do in their office. Mental health care is especially well-suited to telemedicine, because it involves the provider talking with and being able to see their patient, which can easily be done over a smart phone or computer screen. Research finds that telehealth visits for depression give people just as much relief from their symptoms as in-person visits. And their satisfaction is equal to or even higher than it is during face-to-face sessions.

The cost of a telehealth visit should be similar to that of an in-person visit. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare, Medicaid, and many private health insurance companies have begun to cover the cost of telemedicine appointments. You may still be responsible for copays or coinsurance, but that’s often the case even when you visit your doctor’s office in person. Before you schedule a telehealth appointment, check to see how much of the billing your insurance company will cover.

One of the biggest telehealth misconceptions is that it’s too high-tech for most Americans to easily use. That might have been true in the past, but today’s telemedicine technology is very user friendly. You may be asked to download a certain type of software on your computer, or an app on your smartphone before your visit. If you don’t understand how to use it, your doctor’s office can talk you through the process. Then, all you’ll need is a strong internet connection and a working microphone and camera on your device.

Having a personal conversation about your mental health over the internet does raise security and privacy concerns. Could someone hack in and get access to your personal information? Don’t worry: just as with an in-person appointment, your doctor will take every step necessary to protect your privacy and has to adhere to specific protocols to keep your information safe. The telehealth video platform you use will operate on a secure connection, and your data should be encrypted. Make sure your wireless connection is secure and password-protected to shield it against prying eyes. Arrange to join your telehealth visit in a quiet, private area at home or elsewhere. If you have any concerns, ask your provider’s office what steps they’ll take to protect your health information.

Building trust with your provider is important. You’ll make more progress in treatment if you feel comfortable with your doctor. Can you form the same connection over the phone or computer that you would while sitting in the office? As long as you can still see each other face to face, you should be able to relate to your psychiatrist or counselor in the same way during a telehealth session as you would in person. You might even feel closer to them with telehealth because you’ll have more points of contact, including email.