Both Are Real Medical Consultations
It's worth saying plainly: online psychiatric consultation is not a lesser or informal version of care. Telemedicine in India is governed by the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, and a registered psychiatrist conducting a video consultation is providing the same clinical standard of assessment, documentation, and prescribing (within the guidelines) as an in-person visit. The real question isn't which is "more legitimate" — it's which format suits your specific situation.
When Online Consultation Works Well
- Follow-up appointments for patients already assessed and on an established treatment plan
- Medication reviews where symptoms are stable and no new physical or diagnostic concern has arisen
- Patients outside Surat, or unable to travel easily, who would otherwise go without care
- Busy schedules — students, working professionals — where a video consultation fits around commitments an in-clinic visit might not
- Privacy preference — some patients are more comfortable opening up from home in the early stages
- Mild to moderate first-time concerns, such as manageable stress or mild anxiety, where an initial conversation can reasonably start online
When In-Person Consultation Is the Better — or Necessary — Choice
- A first assessment where symptoms are significant, unclear, or diagnostically complex
- Any thoughts of self-harm or suicide — this should never wait for a scheduled video call; seek urgent in-person or emergency care
- Possible first episode of psychosis, or any presentation where a detailed in-person mental state examination adds real diagnostic value
- Where a physical examination, or assessment of appearance and behaviour beyond what a screen conveys, is clinically relevant
- When family involvement or a fuller picture from those around the patient (common in adolescent or elderly assessments) is important
A simple way to decide
- Stable, established, follow-up → online is usually fine
- New, severe, unclear, or any safety concern → in-person is the safer choice
- Genuinely unsure? Book in-person for the first visit — you can always move to online for later follow-ups if appropriate
Comparing the two, honestly
| Area | Online consultation | In-person consultation |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Stable follow-up, mild-moderate concerns | First assessment, severe/unclear symptoms |
| Legal standing in India | Recognised under Telemedicine Practice Guidelines | Standard clinical consultation |
| Convenience | High — no travel, flexible scheduling | Requires travel to Ghod Dod Road clinic |
| Assessment depth | Good for conversation-based review | Fuller — includes physical/behavioural observation |
| Suitable for safety concerns | No — seek in-person or emergency care | Yes — appropriate setting for urgent concerns |
General guidance, not a substitute for individual clinical judgement. If in doubt, start in-person.
A Myth Worth Correcting
"Online consultations are only for minor issues, and serious conditions require in-person care forever." Not quite — many patients with significant, well-managed conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders continue stable, effective care through a mix of in-person and online follow-ups over time. The distinction is less about how serious the diagnosis is and more about whether the current visit is a first, complex, or safety-related assessment, versus a routine follow-up.
Booking With Dr. Heena Khanna
Dr. Heena Khanna is a Consultant Psychiatrist (MBBS, MD Psychiatry) based at Mahavir Hospital, Ghod Dod Road, Surat, offering both in-person OPD consultations and, where clinically appropriate, video follow-ups. For a first visit, an in-person consultation is generally recommended so a complete assessment can be made — after which the right format for ongoing care, including whether online follow-up suits you, can be discussed.
Appointments are available Monday to Thursday 4–6 PM and Friday 5–6 PM. Reach her directly on WhatsApp at +91 97730 32340 or call the clinic reception at +91 261 246 1093 to discuss which format fits your situation.