Telemedicine-based alcohol services for rural offenders.

Abstract

Research has consistently shown that alcohol use is a problem in rural communities and access to substance abuse treatment, particularly evidence-based treatment is limited. Because telemedicine has been shown to be effective in delivering services, this article presents a novel and innovative way of using telemedicine technology in the form of videoconferencing to deliver an evidence-based alcohol intervention (motivational enhancement therapy) with at-risk alcohol users in real-world settings (rural probation and parole offices). This article focuses on: (a) creating a profile of an at-risk group of rural alcohol users; (b) describing the evidence-based intervention; and (c) describing the innovative telemedicine-based service delivery approach.

METelemedicine: A Pilot Study With Rural Alcohol Users on Community Supervision

“…The technology worked well to deliver the sessions with minimal implementation challenges, which were primarily related to finding confidential space within the office for the participant to sit. Participants expressed interest in the study, maintained enrollment, nearly 38% completed sessions, and 90% completed follow‐up measures—all of which are indicators of feasibility in behavioral trials and supported preliminary work …”

“…Given the challenges faced by rural at‐risk alcohol users and the limited services, this study addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining outcomes associated with the implementation of telemedicine‐based videoconferencing to deliver an evidence‐based alcohol intervention in rural areas. The telemedicine approach was examined for feasibility, which was established with preliminary data showing that the majority (more than two‐thirds) of randomized participants engaged in motivational enhancement therapy (MET) sessions . In addition, the majority of those who engaged in sessions completed at least 3 intervention sessions, suggesting involvement beyond assessment using feedback to work toward a therapeutic change process.…”

Technology-Based Interventions in Social Work Practice: A Systematic Review of Mental Health Interventions

“…The advent of behavioral health interventions delivered or facilitated by information and communication technology is increasingly evident for many conditions, including alcohol and substance abuse, diabetes management, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and insomnia (Lovell & Bee, 2011; Mohr et al, 2013; Staton-Tindall, Wahler, Webster, Godlaski, Freeman, & Leukefeld, 2012). Interestingly, our systematic review yielded only six empirical articles reporting on five technology-based interventions in social work direct practice.…”

Patient Satisfaction With Videoconferencing-based Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorders

“…A study on videoconferencing-based open-group sessions for patients with AUD has reported high levels of satisfaction with and acceptance of videoconferencing-based treatment 5. Furthermore, videoconferencing was found to be an acceptable option to deliver treatment for AUD in real-world settings for offenders 6,7. Moreover, studies have demonstrated telephone and videoconferencing to be very acceptable forms of delivering motivational interviewing8 sessions for patients with AUD.…”