Telepsychiatry in Appalachia

Abstract

Access to health care continues to be one of the major challenges to individuals, communities, and policy makers. In rural areas, the challenges are especially acute. This article examines the use of digital technology to provide health care services to underserved communities. An experimental telepsychiatry program is used to illustrate the promise and the obstacles to using technology to link communities to advanced health care services.

Feasibility of Conducting a Randomized Controlled Trial of Telemental Health with Children Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Underserved Communities

“…An evidence base establishing the efficacy of TMH is evolving. Comparability trials have shown that psychiatric treatment provided through VTC yields lengths of hospitalization (Graham 1996;De Las Cuevas et al 2006;O'Reilly et al 2007), medication use (Fortney et al 2007;O'Reilly et al 2007), symptom reduction (Graham 1996;De Las Cuevas et al 2006;Fortney et al 2007;O' Reilly et al 2007;Saeed et al 2011) and patient satisfaction (Bishop et al 2002) that are comparable to care rendered in person. A foundation has been laid for teletherapy.…”

Telepsychology and Self-help: The Treatment of Fear of Public Speaking

“…32 All this has allowed the emergence of several works in this field. For instance, 33 digital technology has been used to provide services to chronic mental patients in isolated communities; 34 the possibility of using the phone and e-mail to diagnose and provide counseling to young psychiatric populations has been tested. Regarding diagnostic reliability, 35 it has been concluded that the psychiatric assessment of a patient through videoconferencing is as reliable as the face-to-face consultations.…”

MSW Student Perceptions of the Efficacy and Ethics of Internet-Based Therapy

“…The three largest e-clinics represent more than 700 clinicians, which includes social workers. Graham, 1996;Hohenshil, 2000;Laszlo, Esterman, & Zabko, 1999;Maheu & Gordon, 2000;Miller & Gergen, 1998;Shapiro & Shulman, 1996 • Use as a supplement to in-person services (as a source of support during wait-list conditions, when other services may not be available, or as a follow-up service); and…”

“…There is general agreement in these published statements that all ethical standards of practice must be met in e-therapy. , 1996;Peters, 1990;Smead, 1999). Smead (1999) questions were asked about knowledge of or experience with e-therapy (see Table 3).…”