Telemedicine Prescribing by US Mental Health Care Providers: National Cross-Sectional Survey

These health care providers were highly comfortable prescribing both scheduled and unscheduled medications via telemedicine. Comfort and perceived safety with telemedicine prescribing varied somewhat by licensure type (physician vs nonphysician) and specialty (psychiatry vs nonpsychiatry). Perceived safety varied moderately for scheduled medications (controlled substances), especially for schedule IV and V medications. Participants indicated use of adaptive strategies to prescribe safely depending upon the clinical context. In ongoing efforts, we are analyzing additional survey results and conducting qualitative research related to telemedicine prescribing. A strong understanding of prescriber perspectives and experience with telemedicine prescribing is needed to support excellent clinical practice and effective policy making in the United States.