Driving on Oahu, especially with road closures and construction can be quite inconvenient.  We have been offering tele-psychiatry (or, “telepsych”) sessions since 2018.  With a modest amount of tech savvy, you can install Zoom on your phone or computer and hold your appointment from the convenience of home or office.  Since the pandemic, most patients have participated in many Zoom meetings, so this platform may already be familiar to you.  It is important to note that you will need:

• A good Wi-fi (or other Internet) connection
• A device such as a smartphone, a desktop, or laptop computer.
• If your device does not come with video capabilities, a webcamera with a microphone can be purchased in many stores and online, and can be quite inexpensive. We do not normally provide voice-only telephone appointments, as most insurances do not cover them and video can be helpful for providers to assess a patient’s condition.
• The Zoom application downloaded on your device. There are many simple guides online that you can follow to get started. Zoom can be found on your smart device’s app store, and the website can be found here: https://zoom.us/join

The day of your appointment, an email will arrive that contains a link you can click.  When it is time for your appointment, wherever you are, you can simply click that link and follow its instructions to join your meeting.  If you suspect you may need help setting up or troubleshooting Zoom, we can provide step-by-step instructions to help you be ready for the first appointment.

Especially with our Honolulu traffic, the vast majority of our patients now use this service and enjoy this convenience.  This is a good way to seek care, overcoming certain circumstances that could normally prevent you from attending an appointment.