SERVICES PROVIDED
Dr. Aguilar is committed to providing excellent and compassionate psychiatric care. At ABH, we offer comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, medication management, supportive therapy and patient education for children, teens and adults up to age 60. Psychiatric services are offered for Anxiety and Panic Disorders, Mood Disorders/Depression/Bipolar Disorder, Child and Adolescent Issues, Behavioral Issues and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other psychiatric conditions.
Dr. Aguilar does not offer legal/forensic evaluations, permanent disability evaluations, and workers' compensation/fitness for work evaluations.
ABOUT TELEPSYCHIATRY
Dr. Aguilar has been providing virtual psychiatric care since the early part of 2020. She is licensed in Florida and is able to see patients virtually as long as they are located in the state of Florida during the visit.
What is Telepsychiatry?
Telepsychiatry, is the process of providing psychiatric care from a distance through technology, often using videoconferencing.
What are the benefits of Telepsychiatry?
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Improves access to mental health specialty care that might not otherwise be available (e.g., in rural areas)
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Brings care to the patient’s location
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Helps integrate behavioral health care and primary care, leading to better outcomes
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Reduces the need for trips to the emergency room
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Reduces delays in care
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Improves continuity of care and follow-up
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Reduces the need for time off work, childcare services, etc. to access appointments far away
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Reduces potential transportation barriers, such as lack of transportation or the need for long drives
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Reduces the barrier of stigma
While some people may be reluctant or feel awkward talking to a person on a screen, experience shows most people are comfortable with it. Some people may be more relaxed and willing to open up from the comfort of their home or a convenient local facility. Also, this will likely be less of a problem as people become more familiar and comfortable with video communication in everyday life.
Telepsychiatry allows psychiatrists to treat more patients in distant locations. Psychiatrists and other clinicians need to be licensed in the state(s) where the patient they are working with is located. State licensing boards and legislatures view the location of the patient as the place where “the practice of medicine” occurs.
Although telepsychiatry has the disadvantage of the patient and psychiatrist not being in the same room, it can create enhanced feelings of safety, security and privacy for many patients.
Is there evidence for the effectiveness of Telepsychiatry?
There is substantial evidence of the effectiveness of telepsychiatry and research has found satisfaction to be high among patients, psychiatrists and other professionals. Telepsychiatry is equivalent to in-person care in diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, quality of care and patient satisfaction. Patient privacy and confidentiality are equivalent to in-person care.
Research has also found that overall experiences among all age groups have been good. There is evidence for children, adolescents and adults regarding assessment and treatment (medication and therapy). There are even people for which telemedicine may be preferable to in-person care, for example people with autism or severe anxiety disorders and patients with physical limitations may find the remote treatment particularly useful.
Telepsychiatry has been found especially effective with respect to the treatment of PTSD, depression, and ADHD.
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