Using technology to deliver mental health services to children and youth: A scoping review

Date

2014

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a scoping review on the use of technology to deliver mental health services to children and youth in order to identify the breadth of peer-reviewed literature, summarize findings and identify gaps. Method: A literature database search identified 126 original studies meeting criteria for review. Descriptive numerical summary and thematic analyses were conducted. Two reviewers independently extracted data. Results: Studies were characterized by diverse technologies including videoconferencing, telephone and mobile phone applications and Internet-based applications such as email, web sites and CD-ROMs. Conclusion: The use of technologies plays a major role in the delivery of mental health services and supports to children and youth in providing prevention, assessment, diagnosis, counseling and treatment programs. Strategies are growing exponentially on a global basis, thus it is critical to study the impact of these technologies on child and youth mental health service delivery. An in-depth review and synthesis of the quality of findings of studies on effectiveness of the use of technologies in service delivery are also warranted. A full systematic review would provide that opportunity. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, adolescents, psychological effects, clinical care, telemental health, research review

Citation

Boydell, Katherine M. ; Hodgins, Michael ; Pignatiello, Antonio ; Teshima, Johm ; Edwards, Helen ; Willis, David. (2014). Using technology to deliver mental health services to children and youth: a scoping review. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry = Journal de l'Academie canadienne de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent, 23(2), 87–99.

DOI