Telehealth

QCI is on the cutting edge of providing mental health care to patients through the use of technology. We utilize videoconferencing to provide accessible, convenient, and confidential psychiatric evaluation, patient education, medication management, and behavioral health therapist services in a safe and private environment. (*Please see note below regarding audio-only telehealth services.)

Video-based telehealth is beneficial in a number of ways:

  • Provides continuity of care and follow-up

  • Enables a high quality of care during National and State emergencies

  • Improves access to mental health care that might not otherwise be available in rural areas

  • Brings care to the patient’s location

  • Reduces the need for time off work, childcare services, etc. to access appointments far away

  • Reduces potential transportation barriers, such as lack of transportation or the need for long drives

  • Reduces delays in care

  • Reduces the need for trips to the emergency room

  • Reduce the barrier of stigma

QCI’s telehealth program includes easy to use, direct interaction between a psychiatrist/psychiatric nurse practitioner/therapist and patient via high-speed wifi. For remote site appointments from QCI offices, there is QCI nurse or administrator onsite during each telehealth appointment to facilitate each session and ensure a patient’s privacy, equipment function, and connectivity. A nurse may assure that medications are administered, if applicable. (*Please see note below regarding audio-only telehealth services.)

Per the American Psychiatric Association:

There is substantial evidence of the effectiveness of telepsychiatry and research has found satisfaction to be high among patients, psychiatrists and other professionals. Telepsychiatry is becoming the acceptable equivalent to in-person care in diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, quality of care, and patient satisfaction. Patient privacy and confidentiality are equivalent to in-person care.

There is positive evidence regarding assessment and medication treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. There are even people for which telemedicine may be preferable to in-person care such as those with severe anxiety disorders and patients with physical limitations may find the remote treatment particularly useful.

Patient privacy is of upmost importance. All patient records are electronically stored offsite and no patient medications are kept at the remote location. Appointments are never video or audio recorded and sessions are held in a private, closed office.

QCI’s telehealth providers are Maryland-licensed psychiatrists, certified registered public mental health nurse practitioners, social workers, and professional counselors. Maryland-licensed nurses are located on location.

If you are a new patient or partnering agency that would like to refer a new patient for telehealth services, please use our referral form. Completed referral forms may be mailed, faxed or hand delivered using the information found at the top of the form. Upon receipt of the completed referral form, we will contact you to schedule an appointment. Patients may also refer themselves for services.

Existing patients may schedule appointments by directly contacting a QCI office or directly with the nurse or administrator onsite at telehealth appointments.

In addition to QCI's Largo, White Plains, and Hagerstown offices, QCI has a remote office located at 22196 Three Notch Rd, Suite 304, Lexington Park, MD 20653. This is a ADA accessible building.

Audio-Only: In response to the COVID-19 National Health Emergency, audio-only telehealth services have been extended until 2023.