Remote forensic evaluations and treatment in the time of COVID-19: An international survey of psychologists and psychiatrists

dc.contributor.authorDaffern, M., Shea, D. E., & Ogloff, J. R.
dc.date.accessioned2021-06-01T16:48:17Z
dc.date.available2021-06-01T16:48:17Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractWorkplace restrictions associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have resulted in increased tele-service use by forensic psychologists and psychiatrists. This article describes the results of a survey of 295 psychologists and psychiatrists concerning their experiences and opinions of forensic tele-service work. Participants identified a range of benefits to using audiovisual (AV) conferencing technologies, including efficiency, convenience, ease of access, safety, client comfort, and flexibility. However, issues were also reported, including concerns that some aspects of the mental status examination, specifically appearance and behavior and affect, may be difficult to assess. There were also some clinical conditions that were considered by participants to be unsuitable for tele-servicing. Although most participants believed that the therapeutic relationship was less satisfactory when using AV conferencing as compared with face-to-face interactions, on average, participants were satisfied with the therapeutic relationship that was developed. Further, some participants (n = 38, 27.1%) reported that clients had expressed a preference for remote engagement, but a similar number reported that some had expressed concerns about receiving treatment remotely (n = 38, 26.4%). Although recent training and experience were associated with confidence, perceived confidence, and satisfaction with tele-services, fewer than half of participants (n = 112, 44.8%) had received training in tele-service use. Overall, there appears to be a range of benefits to using tele-services for remote forensic assessment and treatment practice, but there are issues that need to be considered, and best-practice guidelines require development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)en_US
dc.identifier.citationDaffern, M., Shea, D. E., & Ogloff, J. R. (2021). Remote forensic evaluations and treatment in the time of COVID-19: An international survey of psychologists and psychiatrists. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2021-42634-001.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/5108
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherPsychology, Public Policy, and Lawen_US
dc.subjectchild abuseen_US
dc.subjecttelemental healthen_US
dc.subjectvideo-conferencingen_US
dc.subjecttherapyen_US
dc.subjectresearchen_US
dc.subjecttreatmenten_US
dc.titleRemote forensic evaluations and treatment in the time of COVID-19: An international survey of psychologists and psychiatristsen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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