Telephone-based telepsychiatry consultations: a qualitative exploration of psychiatrists' experiences in Oman

OBJECTIVES: The utilisation of tele-mental health services has the potential to address challenges in mental health services within the Eastern Mediterranean Region. However, the adoption of tele-mental health in Oman remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of psychiatrists with telephone consultations, offering valuable insights to advance the field of telepsychiatry.

DESIGN: This is a qualitative exploratory study. The analysis of the data involved the application of manifest content analysis.

SETTING: The semi-structured interviews were conducted with the psychiatrists at Al Masarra Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted.

RESULTS: The study reveals that psychiatrists encounter communication challenges in telephone consultations, such as the absence of visual cues, confirming patient identity, conducting comprehensive assessments and effectively communicating with younger patients who may lack developed social skills or patients with specific health conditions. Infrastructure limitations, such as outdated medical records, lack of electronic prescriptions and limited availability of child/adolescent psychiatric medications, further restrict the effectiveness of telepsychiatry consultations. In contrast, telephone appointments offer convenience and flexibility for psychiatrists, allowing them to manage non-clinical responsibilities and provide focused consultations tailored to individual needs. In addition, it benefits patients by improving appointment adherence, diminishing stigma and financial savings compared with in-person consultations.

CONCLUSIONS: Tele-mental health has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing mental healthcare services in Oman. Addressing psychiatrists' challenges is crucial to further developing and strengthening these services.