hardtelepsychiatryrural-mental-healthcollaborative-caredigital-divideFQHCaccess-to-careprogram-design
A PMHNP is establishing a telepsychiatry program to serve patients in a rural community located 140 miles from the nearest psychiatric provider. The population of approximately 3,500 includes many agricultural workers with limited internet access and low digital literacy. The nearest hospital is 45 miles away and has no psychiatric unit. The community has a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with a primary care provider, a nurse, and a front desk coordinator, but no behavioral health staff. Rates of depression, substance use disorders, and suicide in this community exceed state averages by 40-60%. The PMHNP is evaluating the clinical and logistical considerations for effective telepsychiatry implementation in this setting. Which of the following approaches best reflects evidence-based practices for rural telepsychiatry program design?