Clinical Web pages: Do they meet expectations?

Abstract

Many practitioners struggle with how best to use Internet technology to market and support their practice. Unfortunately, the empirical literature offers little guidance. This study compared existing mental health clinicians' Web sites to content areas identified as essential and ideal by mental health professionals and prospective consumers. The findings reveal that prospective consumers place a high value on what clinical Web pages may offer, more so than even clinicians themselves. In comparison to clinicians, consumers also have higher expectations for the content of these sites. Only a minority of surveyed clinician Web sites included all of the content endorsed by participants. Results should guide mental health clinicians in the development of their Web pages so that content provided meets consumers' needs and expectations. DAVID PALMITER JR. received his PhD in clinical psychology from George Washington University in 1989. He is an associate professor of psychology and counseling at Marywood University, where he is also the director of the Psychological Services Center and director of PsyD practicums and internships. His areas of research are child assessment and the use of the Internet in academia and clinical practice. DAVID RENJILIAN received his PhD in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1990. He is an associate professor of psychology and counseling at Marywood University. His areas of research are the use of technology in clinical practice and psychotherapist burnout.

Raising awareness of psychology in physicians through a web-based self-change program.

“…There is a growing interest in using the Web to advance psychological practice and to raise awareness of psychological services (Buchanan, 2002; Palmiter & Renjilian, 2003). The MD Health e-Coach offers a useful exemplar for how to establish a unique and visible presence among a very important group of health providers and provides a template for reaching other important populations, such as nurses and medical social workers.…”

New technology, old issues: Demonstrating the relevance of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists to the ever-sharper cutting edge of technology.

“…One of the more interesting research studies on web-based advertisements was carried out by Palmiter and Renjilian (2003).…”

Divided No More: Psychology's Role in Integrated Health Care.

“…A growing number of psychologists are developing and using webpages (Palmiter & Renjilian, 2003) to inform the public about mental health issues and about their services. Increasingly, technology-savvy consumers seek out information about issues and services on the Internet (Harris Interactive, 2002).…”