Distance training for the delivery of psychiatric services in primary care

Mental healthcare therefore came into the mainstream of general health care. [...]an unexpected objective was achieved, that of integrating mental health care with general health care in line with the dictum that there is no health without mental health. The distance education mode of training methods ranged from clinical case conferences to hand-holding support and culminated in the development of separate diploma courses in Community Mental Health for doctors, psychologists, social workers, and nurses through the NIMHANS Digital Academy. In addition to providing specific guidance in real time, the specialists imparted training to enhance the skills of these doctors for the management of the psychiatrically ill. [...]the primary care doctors acquired case-specific and general skills in psychiatric care and have been utilizing these skills in their practice.