There is new hope for veterans coping with debilitating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. A recently published study in the JAMA Psychiatry journal demonstrated that veterans with PTSD who had access to “telemedicine” – video enabled session with psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses and other mental health clinicians – had equivalent recovery to those Veterans with PTSD who received corresponding therapy in person.
Such proof of the efficacy telemedicine lays the groundwork for a larger cyber medical network that would allow mental health professionals to treat more veterans.
This news is especially encouraging for veterans living in rural areas where the nearest VA outpatient center may be hours away.
While continuing research is needed before a widespread program is initiated, the current study is a huge step forward. If proven consistently helpful to veterans, it’s possible to conceive of such telemedicine techniques being developed for the general public.
For more on the study read this Reuter’s article and another piece at Veterans News Now.
