Telepsychiatry setup and webside manner checklist
An educational checklist of setup and presence practices for video visits, drawn from American Psychiatric Association and telehealth best-practice guidance. Adapt to your platform and setting.
Current as of July 7, 2026. Laws, payer rules, and billing codes change, so confirm the current requirements for your jurisdiction and setting before you rely on it.
What's inside
Environment and technology
- A private, quiet room where you cannot be overheard, and a plain, professional background
- A HIPAA-compliant platform, tested connection, and a backup plan such as a phone number
- Camera at eye level, good front lighting, and framing from mid-chest up
Presence on camera
- Look toward the camera to approximate eye contact, and let the patient finish before you speak
- Speak a little more slowly and check understanding, since cues are harder to read on video
- Name and normalize the medium, and address any awkwardness early
Safety and logistics each visit
- Confirm the patient's physical location and a phone number in case the connection drops or a crisis arises
- Confirm who else is present and that the patient consents
- Know the local emergency resources for the patient's location; in a crisis, direct to 911 and 988 in the US
Clinical and legal fit
Confirm you are licensed where the patient is located, that the visit type suits video, and that you can arrange in-person care or referral when it is needed.
About this resource
This checklist is part of the shrinkiatry resource library, a set of free, clinician-facing references and examples. It's reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, a board-certified psychiatrist, on a quarterly schedule. Next scheduled review: October 1, 2026. First published July 7, 2026, last reviewed July 7, 2026.
Browse the rest of the resource library, or verify who reviews this site. Spotted something out of date? Email corrections@shrinkiatry.com.