Psych-technology: A Systematic Review of the Telepsychiatry Literature

Melaka, A and Edirippulige, S (2009) Psych-technology: A Systematic Review of the Telepsychiatry Literature. Psychiatry On Line, The International Forum for Psychiatry, xxx xxx: xxx-xxx.

Author Melaka, A
Edirippulige, S
Title Psych-technology: A Systematic Review of the Telepsychiatry Literature
Journal name Psychiatry On Line, The International Forum for Psychiatry
Publication date 2009-10
Sub-type Review of research - research literature review (NOT book review
Year available 2009
Volume number xxx
Issue number xxx
ISSN 1359-7620 (electronic)
Start page xxx
End page xxx
Total pages 14
Editor Ben Green
Place of publication United Kingdom
Publisher Priory Lodge Education Ltd
Collection year 2010
Language eng
Subject C1
1005 Communications Technologies
111714 Mental Health
920209 Mental Health Services
920410 Mental Health
Abstract Recent advances in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have created opportunities to assist in providing alternate solutions to the delivery of quality psychiatric services. This study sets out to review the literature related to the use of ICT in the psychiatry field. The study was conducted using electronic databases such as Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO and Embase covering the period 1996 to March 2008. The focus of the study was on reviews including studies reporting cost-effectiveness, patient outcomes, technology implementations and services, applications in different geographical settings (developed and undeveloped countries), the use of telepsychiatry in Australia and the barriers to the practice of telepsychiatry. These studies were classified as randomised control trials, evaluation studies and review studies. Fifty-three articles were identified that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results from the randomized controlled trials analyzed have demonstrated that telepsychiatry treatment has equivalent efficacy to face-to-face consultation. Synchronous technologies applied in psychiatry practice include: videoconferencing, telephony and online chat programs. Asynchronous technologies include: online support groups, email and self-help groups. The application of telepsychiatry has increased in developed countries such as: USA, Canada and Europe. Telepsychiatry has also been widely used in a number of programs to service rural Australian regions. A lack of application and evolvement of telepsychiatry in developing countries was evident in this review study as well as a lack of economic studies comparing the costs associated with conventional psychiatry services against the costs associated with telepsychiatry services. This review study has shown the potential of telepsychiatry services to assist in the provision of effective mental and psychiatric care.
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Review of research - research literature review (NOT book review
Collections: 2010 Higher Education Research Data Collection
Centre for Online Health Publications
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 150 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Thu, 25 Feb 2010, 08:39:52 EST by Lisa Garner on behalf of Centre for On-Line Health