Clancy Trial Scrutinizes 14 Telehealth Visits as 48.3% of Serious Mental Illness Care Moves Online
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 14
Clancy Trial Scrutinizes 14 Telehealth Visits as 48.3% of Serious Mental Illness Care Moves Online
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 14
Summary
Lindsay Clancy’s trial has focused on 14 virtual psychiatry visits over five months, ending on Jan. 23, 2023—the day before her three children were killed; testimony said she never met her psychiatrist in person.
48.3% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness now receive some treatment via telehealth, putting broader attention on whether video care is sufficient when patients become suicidal, psychotic, manic or otherwise unstable.
Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist not involved in the case, said telehealth expands access and lets clinicians see more patients, but can miss cues such as hygiene, agitation, intoxication and behavior that may be clearer in person.
Alpert said worsening symptoms despite frequent appointments should trigger a change in care—an in-person visit, emergency evaluation or inpatient treatment—especially if postpartum psychosis, violence or suicide risk is suspected.
He argued the central issue is not telehealth itself but whether clinicians conduct thorough risk assessments and match the level of care to the patient’s condition.