Telepsychiatry evaluation in the north-west of England: preliminary results of a qualitative study

May, Carl, Gask, L.inda, Ellis, Nicola, Atkinson, Theresa, Mair, Frances, Smith, Craig, Pidd, Sally and Esmail, Aneez (2000) Telepsychiatry evaluation in the north-west of England: preliminary results of a qualitative study. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 6, supplement 1, 20-22. (doi:10.1258/1357633001934618).

Abstract

A telepsychiatry referral service for patients suffering from anxiety and depression was evaluated from a user perspective. Low-cost video-phones linked a psychiatrist to two general practices in the north-west of England. Quantitative data were collected using a semistructured interview schedule. Twenty-two patients and 13 doctors were interviewed after a video-link consultation. Some users were very positive about the service and recognized its potential benefits, while others were more ambivalent. Patients saw the service as a means of obtaining additional expert' advice. General practitioners felt that the service might adversely affect the doctor-patient relationship in psychiatry. Both patients and clinicians recognized that the video-link modified normal interaction. Users need to adapt to this form of communication. An induction session is recommended for both patients and clinicians.

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Contributors

Author: Carl May

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