A community-based approach to evaluation of health outcomes and costs for telepsychiatry in a rural population: preliminary results

Yellowlees, Peter M. and Kennedy, Craig (2000). A community-based approach to evaluation of health outcomes and costs for telepsychiatry in a rural population: preliminary results. In: R. Wootton, Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare: Proceedings of TeleMed 99. TeleMed 99, London, Uk, (155-157). 28 Nov - 1 Dec 1999.

Author Yellowlees, Peter M.
Kennedy, Craig
Title of paper A community-based approach to evaluation of health outcomes and costs for telepsychiatry in a rural population: preliminary results
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name TeleMed 99
Conference location London, Uk
Conference dates 28 Nov - 1 Dec 1999
Proceedings title Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare: Proceedings of TeleMed 99   Check publisher's open access policy
Editor R. Wootton
Place published London, UK
Publisher Royal Society of Medicine
Publication date 2000
Volume number 6
Issue number Supplement 1
ISSN 1357-633X
Start page 155
End page 157
Total pages 3
Collection year 2000
Language eng
Abstract/Summary A pilot trial was established to support visiting psychiatric services and local public and private practitioners through the use of videoconferencing. The purpose of the trial was to determine whether people in the community received better health-care with telemedicine. A community-based approach was used to evaluate health outcomes, costs, utilization, accessibility, quality and needs for such services in a rural community in Queensland. Over a two-year period data were collected from 124 subjects who met the criteria of having a mental health problem or mental disorder. Nine further subjects refused to participate in the study. Only 32 subjects used videoconferencing to receive mental health services. Preliminary results did not show any significant improvements in wellbeing or quality of life, although the time span was relatively short. However, the results confirmed that the people were no worse off from a consumer or a practitioner perspective from using videoconferencing. Most consumers found that videoconferencing with a psychiatrist moderately or greatly helped them in managing their treatment, with 98% of them preferring to be offered videoconferencing in combination with local services. Overall, videoconferencing is a crucial part of enhancing psychiatry services in rural areas. However, it is not necessarily cost-effective for all consumers, general practitioners, psychiatrists, or the public mental health service.
Subjects EX
730199 Clinical health not specific to particular organs, diseases and conditions
329999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified
Q-Index Code EX

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Fully Published Paper
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Created: Fri, 06 Jun 2008, 15:04:33 EST