Clinician Corner: Meet Dr. Marialba Romero Medina, MD

Iris clinicians are at the heart of what makes our organization such a special place to work. That’s why we’re turning the spotlight on the amazing work they’re doing every day — starting with our very own Dr. Marialba Romero Medina.

Q: How did you find Iris and decide you wanted to be an Iris provider?

A: I found Iris at a time in my life where I needed a change. I wanted to expand my horizons in terms of what I was doing and what I could do considering the circumstances. I’m Latina, and I’m based in Puerto Rico. As the world knows, we went through a natural disaster a couple of years ago, Hurricane Maria. After that time, a lot of services changed here, and a lot of things that doctors could or could not do sort of modified. To put it simply, there were a lot of clinic closures.

I had to adapt to the times. As clinics were closing, I started to consider what I could do to continue working and hopefully continue living close to my family. Telehealth was the option. I did an overall search of companies and found Iris. My friend had already interviewed with the company and was in the process of onboarding. So, I interviewed with Iris, and it seemed like a good opportunity. I took a leap of faith, and here I am three years later.

Q: What does a typical day as an Iris Telehealth provider look like for you?

A: I do outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry at a community mental health clinic in Monroe, Michigan, with a population very much far removed from my own experience in terms of Puerto Rico. Even though I trained in Philadelphia, it’s still a sort of cultural adjustment.

A typical day is fairly standard and generally includes following up on patients and doing initial patient appointments. In times of COVID-19 and other things specifically going on in Michigan, there are many difficult circumstances that people have been going through. These challenges can complicate their daily lives and affect their kids.

I provide people with whatever resources we have, but I don’t do it alone, and I’m happy to have a great team. It’s refreshing because we have nurses, which is not something that I used to have in outpatient treatment. And, we have therapists and case managers, so it’s a team effort. I’m one tiny piece in a gigantic clinic offering a bunch of services.

Q: What do you love about being a telepsychiatry provider?

A: On the professional side, I love the idea that we can reach more people. And, more recently, things are moving more towards collaborative care. There’s an opportunity for physicians to work together remotely, and telepsychiatry opens up the scope of what we can do with very limited hours.

Personally, it’s been nice. Despite the significant loss and pain brought on by the pandemic, it has allowed me to be home. It’s a change in pace and expectation. Instead of driving an hour and a half to work, I can get up early to exercise, play with my dog, or if it’s sunny, I can look at the sun and prepare myself for the day. Considering the nature of the job and the stories we hear every day, being able to take care of yourself is a plus. Telehealth has allowed me to take better care of myself.

Additionally, if I have a no-show, I can go outside and take a walk or throw a ball with my dog, or even do some laundry. All around, I think it’s an improvement in quality of life.

Q: How do you foster connection with patients virtually?

A: I keep my video background very interesting, and even though it’s a view into my private life (or my human cave) it shows a little bit of who I am. I think this comforts patients by giving them something to look at, and it shows them that their doctor is also a human being with interests, likes, and random Christmas lights in the background. This atmosphere helps kids engage, ask questions, and opens up the conversation. It helps them feel more at ease, versus my experience at previous clinics where it’s hard to provide a personal touch or give a glimpse of who you are as an individual.

I try to be as genuine as possible with the way I talk and dress — I’m very colorful, and I have found that this helps.

Q: As a healthcare professional, how do you manage work-life balance?

A: Working from home can be isolating, which many people have experienced in the last two years. For me, I’ve been fortunate that I’ve made connections with people I studied with in medical school. We communicate, almost obsessively, daily. Connection is a good thing that technology has provided. But, maintaining those connections takes work. You have to make an effort to connect with someone, send them a text, or give them a call.

I’ve also been very lucky that the chart system we use at work is very responsive, and everyone uses the same one. If there’s a question about a patient, we can all talk to each other. I adore my nurses. We understand one another and can acknowledge that some days are harder than others.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

A: I always hope I won’t have a patient long-term and that they can be discharged and go on. Sadly, especially in community settings, things are a little more complicated. Individuals can stay in a community mental health center for many years, so it’s nice to see them grow. It’s nice to see the change in their faces and how they see and interpret things compared to when they were younger. And, hopefully, they change for the better. It’s nice to see them realize that you can overcome even when things seem insurmountable.

Q: What are your biggest learnings from your time at Iris?

A: I’ve learned that there are positive and nice working environments. It has been healing to be with a company that is so supportive and so kind. Because not every work environment is that way. I think that Dr. Shaheen managed to grow a company that values genuine kindness, connection, and being nice to each other — even when things are overwhelming. We’re all overwhelmed at times, but I’ve always been treated in the most kind and respectful way. Every time I reach out, somebody answers and is paying attention. They’re making sure we’re okay.

Q: Why do you think telepsychiatry is important to the future of mental healthcare?

A: I think as the world continues to accept the reality that we’re all connected in one way, shape, or form, they’ll realize that we can’t do this on our own. The importance of being able to see and talk to each other even when we’re not in the same space or in the same area is vital. Whether it’s psychiatry or another type of healthcare, the idea that we can see and talk to each other, regardless of where we are, will be important.

Additionally, when it comes to healthcare, there are only so many doctors, and having somebody who can provide services in different areas is going to be positive. When it comes to what we need as individuals, many people need to be close to their families or to an area where they feel comfortable and where they enjoy living. And, that’s not always where a patient is going to be. Having the ability to meet with a patient where they’re comfortable and where the provider is comfortable, too — is a plus. There’s also no commute, and if they have to commute, it’s to a clinic in their area. It’s a win-win. Read this post to learn more.

If you’d like to learn more about working for Iris Telehealth, contact us today.

What Your Healthcare Organization Can do to Make Patients More Comfortable with Telepsych

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has become a mainstay for patients across the country. The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) reports the following data:

  • 28 studies found that more than 80% of patients indicated satisfaction with telehealth
  • 75% of people expect virtual care to become a standard part of their care
  • 85.52% report that telemedicine has made getting the care they need easier

With its growing popularity, it’s clear telehealth is a long-term solution and not just a temporary fix during the pandemic. As of 2017, the American Hospital Association cited 65% of hospitals had incorporated a telehealth solution. In 2021, about one-sixth of hospitals reported using telepsychiatry with a wide variation across states.

Still, healthcare organizations have a lot to consider when implementing virtual specialty solutions like telepsychiatry, and patient comfort should be a top priority. Keep reading to learn more about common telehealth misconceptions, why virtual works so well for psychiatry, and how to set patients and providers up for success in a virtual environment.

Common telehealth misconceptions

Despite the benefits and popularity of virtual care, misconceptions about the patient experience persist, and the telepsychiatry space is no different.

Here are four of the top misconceptions we encounter on a daily basis:

  1. Patients don’t want to use telehealth: This is perhaps one of the biggest myths busted by the pandemic. Across the board, patients want to conveniently and quickly see a provider across any specialty in the most convenient way possible — and for many, that means telepsychiatry. Additionally, while some organizations might be concerned about their patients thinking telehealth is low quality, there is no current data to support this notion. As the ATA study reports, patient satisfaction is high, and patients expect telehealth to continue being a possibility for their care well into the future.
  2. Elderly patients have trouble accessing technology: According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), technology usage among older adults skyrocketed during the pandemic. The AARP reports that 44% of older adults view tech more positively as a way to stay connected than they did before COVID-19. Additionally, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) reports that since the late 1990s, telepsychiatry has been an effective treatment for anxiety, dementia, and cognitive impairment within this population.
  3. Populations with specialty concerns can’t get care: Many providers or organizations may think certain patients with specific concerns, like those experiencing paranoia, wouldn’t be interested in telepsychiatry. However, psychiatrists have seen that the ability to receive care from the comfort of their own homes has a more influential benefit for this population. Additionally, for deaf or hard-of-hearing patients, sharing the call with a sign-language interpreter has proven helpful and easy to manage virtually.
  4. Reaching rural communities will be difficult: While there may be concerns about getting this population on board with telepsychiatry, patients have seen real benefits over the past few years. In rural or small-town communities where access to care is limited, stigma around getting mental health treatment still exists, and not having to go to a psychiatrist’s office is a bonus for many people who may be wary of community backlash. Additionally, according to the Pew Research Center, 93% of American adults use the internet, diluting concerns that populations in rural America can’t access virtual care. Additionally, the ability to get care from home, so they don’t have to drive long distances, is a huge plus for this population.

Why virtual works for psychiatry

The virtual environment of telepsychiatry allows providers to meet patients where they are. This virtual platform is compatible with the nature of a psychiatrist’s work, and dates back as far as the 1950’s.

Additionally, for individuals with anxiety who aren’t comfortable leaving their houses, telepsychiatry is an excellent fit. The same goes for lower income populations, or patients experiencing homelessness. For these patients, getting transportation can stand as a barrier, and it can also be more difficult for them to want to go into a busy medical office.

The vast majority of work that goes into psychiatry is talking and listening, and telepsychiatry is the perfect fit for this line of work. Educating patients, providers, and organizational leadership about the benefits of telepsychiatry can help solidify this modality as a long-term solution for your organization.

Increasing patient comfortability at healthcare organizations

While most patients will be comfortable utilizing virtual care platforms, some may be hesitant. In this case, communication is vital. Ask your patients where else they’ve used this modality in their lives. If they’ve been able to communicate and connect with their loved ones, chances are, they’ll like telepsychiatry as well.

You can also ask them what they want directly. For example, do they want to come into the clinic? Or, do they want to connect from home? Maybe there will be some patients who are interested in a hybrid option. The data you collect can help guide your organization’s decision when considering investing in a telepsychiatry solution.

Tips for providers using telepsych

While telepsychiatry is beneficial to patients, it also benefits providers. In the ATA report cited above, 94% of mental health professionals say they would like to continue offering telehealth services. That said, making sure your providers have the information they need will set them up for success as they embark on their virtual practice.

At Iris Telehealth, we ensure our providers have all the resources, tools, and support they need to do what they do best — take care of patients. We’re psychiatrist-owned and operated, and we know what providers need, like less paperwork, a supportive work/life balance, and even 24/7 tech support.

Here are five tips our providers have found useful:

  1. Ensure a nice office set-up with a neutral background that’s not too distracting or too plain, like a blank white wall
  2. To prevent headaches, encourage providers to be aware of any glare on their glasses or their computer screen
  3. Investing in a noise-canceling microphone can help providers keep communication clear and cut back on distractions
  4. To help ensure patient privacy, ask your providers to invest in a headset to ensure they’re the only ones who can hear what the patient is saying
  5. Ensuring your provider’s cameras are set to a good gaze angle can help promote connection. When a provider’s camera is pointed down and they’re looking up (or if the camera is on a different monitor than the screen they’re looking at), it can look like they’re staring off into a different direction — providers should seek to position their cameras in a way that makes it appear as though they’re looking directly at their patient

By incorporating these tips, your providers will be set up for successful patient sessions that will make patients more comfortable with any virtual communications.

Get started on your behavioral health strategy

Here at Iris, we make sure your organization has everything it needs for a successful behavioral health program.

Contact us today to see if our telepsychiatry services would be a good match for your organization. Or, if you have more questions, check out our FAQ page.