Clinical Supervision in Rural Settings: A Telehealth Model.

Abstract

The task of providing supervisory services to clinical interns, trainees, and new psychologists in rural settings is often complicated by a host of environmental and economic constraints. Given the reemergence of telecommunication applications as a means of transcending similar obstacles in service delivery, the authors discuss the use of telecommunication technology as a means of enabling the traditional supervisor-supervisee relationship in settings in which face-to-face contact is difficult if not impossible. The evolution of telesupervision is discussed, followed by an outline of an integrated model of telesupervision and the goals, benefits, and challenges associated with the use of telecommunications technology in clinical supervision.

An in-depth mixed-methods approach to Ryan White HIV/AIDS care program comprehensive needs assessment from the Northeast Georgia Public Health District: The significance of patient privacy, psychological health, and social stigma to care

“…For example, using telehealth (Wood, Miller, & Hargrove, 2005) technology could improve access to medical case management, nursing staff, health care, and counseling and psychological services, especially in critically underserved and very rural parts of the district. In addition, the establishment of satellite offices in county health departments with a rotating nursing staff member from the HIV clinic and a behavioral counselor could work with the county health departments to process regular labs for clients, schedule M a n u s c r i p t 25 appointments for counseling and case management, and to disseminate relevant information in particular counties.…”

“… Utilize telehealthcare (Heckman and Carlson, 2007;Wood et al, 2005) technology to improve access to medical case management, nursing staff, health care, and counseling and psychological services, especially in critically underserved and very rural parts of the district.…”

A model for mHealth skills training for clinicians: meeting the future now

“…Stating a complex situation simplistically, retaining skilled practitioners in remote areas is often difficult. In addition to the social aspects of rural living (which may contrast strongly with the urban attractions surrounding most academic medical centers), a lack of access to ongoing professional training and clinical supervision, peer consultation networks, and the nature of rural medicine also influence rural practitioner retention (6).…”

Opportunities and challenges of rural practice: managing self amid ambiguity

“…Frequently, rural psychologists carry heavy client loads and function in isolation of other psychologists, limiting access to supervision and professional support. However, technology can augment access to supervision (Wood, Miller, & Hargrove, 2005), and rural practice offers many opportunities to consult with other professionals. Personal psychotherapy may help the rural psychologist manage the myriad of relationships, situations, and personal reactions that emerge in the rural practice environment potentially limiting professional burnout and isolation.…”