“Interactive video conferencing” in the provision of neuropsychological services to rural areas

Abstract

This article describes the use of interactive videoconferencing in providing neuropsychological services to residents of rural areas. Videoconferencing, as employed in the service provision program described here, permits “live” interviewing of the client, and direction and supervision of a technician at the rural satellite facility. The advent of interactive videoconferencing via digital telephone lines has greatly reduced the cost associated with earlier rural health care efforts requiring satellite communication. Interactive videoconferencing enhances availability and accessibility of neuropsychological services to rural residents. Furthermore, initial informal evaluation of the program indicates that it meets with patient acceptance and satisfaction.

The Provision of Neuropsychological Services in Rural/Regional Settings: Professional and Ethical Issues

“…Census Bureau, 2002); however, a similar inequality in the distribution of psychologists to rural areas has been reported, with approximately one psychologist per 7,000 to 10,000 residents in rural areas (American Psychological Association, 2008;Bazana, 1999). Based on these data, it is expected that there is also a similar disparity of neuropsychologists practicing in rural versus metropolitan regions in Australia and abroad, although systematic data are lacking (Barbopoulos & Clark, 2003;Sladen, Mozdzierz, & Greenblatt, 1986;Troster, Paolo, Glatt, Hubble, & Koller, 1995). In support of this notion, the Loddon Mallee region occupies more than a quarter of the area of the state of Victoria, Australia, representing the largest of the Department of Human Services regions of the state (Figure 1).…”

“…It can be effectively utilized for assessment, treatment, supervision, and educational purposes (Ball & Puffett, 1998;Gibson et al;Hilty, Marks, Urness, Yellowlees, & Nesbitt, 2004;Schopp, Johnstone, & Merrell, 2000;Turchik et al, 2007;Wood, Miller, & Hargrove, 2005;Yellowlees & Kavanagh, 1994). The use of telemedicine in providing effective neuropsychological-specific services to remote and regional areas has been demonstrated in the United States (Schopp et al;Troster et al, 1995) and the United Kingdom (Ball & McLaren, 1997;Ball & Puffett). However, in their discussion of ethical issues associated with advances in information technology, Bush, Naugle, and Johnson-Greene (2002) caution that neuropsychologists must ensure they have demonstrated competence in using telemedicine technologies and that confidentiality is assured and maintained when doing so (see also Reed, McLaughlin, & Milholland, 2000;Schopp et al).…”

Online sexual addiction and compulsivity: Integrating web resources and behavioral telehealth in treatment

“…Videoconferencing is becoming the primary technology being used for psychotherapy in Behavioral Telehealth programs (Baer, Cukor, Jenike, Leahy, O'Laughlen, & Coyle, 1995;Cukor, Baer, Willis, Leahy, O'Laughlen, Murphy, Withers, & Martin, 1998;Huston & Burton, 1997;Glueckauf et al, 1998;Jerome, 1986Jerome, , 1993Sampson, Kolodinsky, & Greeno, 1997;Troster, Paolo, Glatt, Hubble, & Koller, 1995). The positive effect of interactive video upon the offline therapeutic alliance has been demonstrated by a number of researchers (Baigent, Bond, Kalucy, Yellowlees, Ben-Torin, Kavanagh, & Lloyd, 1997;Ball, McLaren, Summerfield, Lipsedge, & Watson, 1995;Ghosh, McLaren, & Watson, 1997;Jerome, 1993;McLaren, Blunder, Lipsedge, & Summerfield, 1996;Montani, Billaud, Tyrell, & Fluchaire, 1997).…”

Audio channel constraints in video-mediated communication

“…For example, VMC is being used in distance education (Fels and Weiss, 2000;Knowles and Dillon, 1996;McAndrew et al, 1996;Robinson, 1993), telemedicine (Furnace et al, 1996;Reiss et al, 1996;Tröster et al, 1995;) and telepsychiatry (Manning et al, 2000) and to facilitate group meetings in the research and business sectors (Carletta et al, 2000;O'Conaill et al, 1993;O'Conaill and Whittaker, 1997). Much of the research in this area has focused upon the visual channel of communication, with some debate occurring over the advantages of adding a visual channel in mediated communication (e.g.…”