The child telepsychiatry project--a randomized controlled trial: (a comparison of initial child psychiatry assessments conducted via telemedicine to assessments conducted face-to-face)

Date

1997

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Abstract

Telemedicine - the use of telecommunications technology to transmit medical information to and from a distant location, has many potential benefits. A variety of technologies can be used to conduct telemedicine and it has applications in every field of medicine. This thesis investigates the use of a PC-based videoconferencing system to conduct child psychiatric assessments at a distance. Using a randomized, controlled design, 23 patients and their parents completed a telemedicine interview and a face-to-face interview. Self-report questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to obtain data for the study. The data were coded and the evaluators blinded. The diagnosis~ treatment recommendations and participant satisfaction with the telemedicine and face-to-face assessments were compared. An independent evaluator concluded that in 22/23 cases (96%) the diagnosis and treatment recommendations made via telemedicine were clinically the same as the diagnosis and treatment recommendations made face-to-face. Overall, participants responded positively to the telemedicine assessments. All five psychiatrists stated that telemedicine assessments were an “adequate alternative” to face-to-face assessments and did not interfere with making a diagnosis. However, if given the choice they “preferred” to assess a patient face-to-face. The majority of patients “liked” using the system to talk to the psychiatrist and 5/17 children (29%) said they preferred talking to the doctor using the telemedicine system versus face-to-face. Parents were also positive toward the telemedicine system with 21/23 (91%) stating that if they had to travel a long distance to see a psychiatrist they would prefer to use the system. General conclusions include: -- 1) it was possible for psychiatrists to conduct a child psychiatry assessment using the PC-based videoconferencing system, -- 2) psychiatrists make the same diagnosis and treatment recommendations via telemedicine as they do face-to-face and -- 3) psychiatrists, patients and parents were satisfied with the telemedicine system. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, psychological effects, telemental health, research, International Resources, Canada

Citation

Elford, Rod. (1997). The child telepsychiatry project--a randomized controlled trial: (a comparison of initial child psychiatry assessments conducted via telemedicine to assessments conducted face-to-face). Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

DOI