CHC/SEK La Cygne clinic offers tele-psych appointments

By Kayla Katzer, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

LA CYGNE – Patients in rural communities often have limited access to behavioral health services. To help close the gap, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) offers online psychiatric appointments to patients. Tele-psych appointments give patients scheduling flexibility and reduce their time away from work as well as the need for childcare or transportation. Brenda Nguyen, MSN, PMHNP, provides tele-psych appointments each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays for patients at the La Cygne clinic. Nguyen says during a tele-psych appointment patients can expect to meet with her via video and audio-based telecommunication to discuss mental health concerns. After the first visit, follow-up appointments can be completed from the patient’s home. “As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, my scope of practice allows me to provide mental health evaluations, diagnosis, patient education, and medication management,” Nguyen said. The patient comes to the clinic for initial evaluation, where they will be greeted by staff, have their vitals taken, and meet with her through video/audio. Nguyen earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University, and her Master of Science in Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. To schedule an appointment with Nguyen, call 913-757-4575.