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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Begoņa Rivera-Alonso, PsyD, CCHP, Rafael Guzman-Fonalledas, MD, CCHP, Myrta Sifonte-Rodriguez, MD, Jorge M. De Jesus-Rozas, MHSA, and Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, MPH, CHES, CCHP. Correctional Health Services Corporation, Calle 1, Lote 18, Suite 400, Metro Office Park, Guaynabo, PR 00968, 787-774-3344, brivera@chsc-pr.org

Historically, the provision of psychiatric services in Puerto Rico's correctional facilities has been a challenge, especially for those institutions located far from the metropolitan areas. With the increase in health informatics and telecommunications technology facilitating medical information exchanges among physicians and their patients, Correctional Health Services Corporation decided to incorporate this delivery option as an alternative under their new model for the provision of correctional health care services. Health professionals, correctional institution personnel, and inmates have been appropriately educated about the services and its implications for the correctional health system.

Among other uses, telepsychiatry has been implemented to address inmates' health care needs, improve access to health care and maximize the efficacy of health care professionals throughout the integration of this service in order to advance the Puerto Rican correctional health system. During the first five months of its implementation, nearly 274 inmates throughout four different correctional complexes have received psychiatric attention through this novel service by way of out-patient clinics that guarantee health information confidentiality. The quality and inmates' satisfaction of this service has been continuously monitored. This health provision model should be considered as a viable alternative to address other health care needs in correctional populations and other communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze a novel approach to provide mental health services.
• Discuss the use of telepsychiatry as an effective method when planning mental health services with inmates.
• Replicate similar interventions in their settings.

Keywords: Correctional Health Care, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered