History

"Although many people consider the field of telemental health to be relatively new, when one uses a broad definition of telemental health, then there are historical examples over one hundred years old. If you use the definition of telemental health as simply the provision of care between different locations using technology then one historical example of telemental health is the use of letters to provide information between providers and their patients as well as their family members and consultants. In the 1 9th century there are examples of patients who were hospitalized in long-term psychiatric facilities and their families often would write letters to the doctors taking care of them and describing their problems as well as the environments that these patients came from and the doctors would correspond back to these family members giving summaries of the patient's course and treatment. Additionally, at the turn of the 20th century, it was not uncommon for psychiatrists and other providers to share information about complicated patients and get consultation via descriptive letters. So these are some historical examples of the use of technology to provide care over distance. Also, obviously, the telephone has been widely and extensively used to provide care, diagnosis, and treatment of patients."