Telepsychiatry assessments of child or adolescent behavior disorders: a review of evidence and issues

Date

2010

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Telemedicine and e-Health

Abstract

Psychiatric assessments and treatments provided via two-way videoconferencing (telepsychiatry) have been used to increase the availability of child psychiatrists. This literature review of telepsychiatry assessment of children and adolescents focuses on the comparability of telemedicine to in-person treatment for child or adolescent patients. This review of papers between 1996 and 2009 shows acceptance and concurrence of diagnosis compared with in-person assessments. Background: The limited number of mental health specialists for children has led to an increased need for child and adolescent psychiatrists to provide primary care consultations and treatment recommendations. Psychiatric assessments and treatments provided via two-way videoconferencing (telepsychiatry) have been used to increase the availability of child psychiatrists. This article reviews the literature on telepsychiatry assessment of children and adolescents. Methods: Research on telepsychiatry has focused on the comparability of telepsychiatric treatments to in-person treatment for adult patients. Relatively little research has addressed the ability of telepsychiatric assessments to facilitate favorable treatment outcomes, particularly for child or adolescent patients. This was a literature search using Medline via Ovid. It focused on English-language material published between 1996 and 2009. A range of search terms relating to assessment, mental health, telemedicine, and children was used. Any studies focusing on child and adolescent psychiatric assessment were included.Results:The limited literature on children is usually related to project descriptions or case reports. The studies tend to find acceptance and the diagnoses and recommendations are not seen as different from in-person assessments. Practical considerations that arise in giving telepsychiatric assessments are discussed. Conclusion: Although there are significant weaknesses in the research justifying telepsychiatric assessments in children and adolescents, there are no data that suggest that this process contributes to negative outcomes. Details on the setting for telepsychiatry assessments and camera view have not been studied. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

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

Citation

Diamond, John M. ; Bloch, Richard M. (2010). Telepsychiatry assessments of child or adolescent behavior disorders: a review of evidence and issues. Telemedicine and e-Health, 16(6), 712-716.

DOI