What is your policy on prescribing controlled substances for patients you've only ever seen via telehealth?

The short answer is yes, but only with thorough clinical judgment.

Too often, this debate gets pushed into two bad extremes. On one side, there is the blanket refusal to ever manage these medications virtually. On the other, there are virtual pill mills handing out prescriptions after a brief chat. ...

I do initiate stimulants via telehealth when state law allows but it is very state-specific. A full ADHD evaluation can be done remotely if you approach it with the same rigor as in person. On video, I can reliably observe psychomotor activity, fidgeting, restlessness, latency of response, distracti...

I don’t; I always see the patient in person first. Proper PDMP (prescription drug monitoring program) and UDS (urine drug screen).

An in-person visit is legally required in Texas. Also, it helps with verification of identity.

I thought the reinstitution of the Ryan Haight Act post-pandemic prohibited writing scheduled medications without a face-to-face meeting.

I do not like it, but given the size of the catchment area we serve (Albuquerque -> New Mexico), or mobility concerns that some patients have, and/or other social determinants of health, I will do so.

Preferably, the patient has at least one initial in-person visit.

Rules have been changing on this,...