The literature suggests that most often the objectives of Telepsychiatry programs are to eliminate barriers that prevent children and adolescents from accessing the mental health services that they require. Specific objectives of Telepsychiatry programs include: attempt to meet demands for child psychiatry services (Blackmon, Kaak, & Ranseen, 1997; Lau, Way, & Fremont, 2011; Pesämaa et al., 2007; Elford, White, St John, Maddigan, Ghandi & Bowering, 2001; Elford, White, Bowering, Ghandi, Maddiggan, St John… & Battcock, 2000; Savin, Garry, Zuccaro, & Novins, 2006); provide psychiatric consultations to under-serviced populations such as rural areas (Boydell, Volpe, & Pignatiello, 2010; Gelber, 2001; Keilman, 2005; Pignatiello, Boydell & Teshima,
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Limited literature exists on whether or not populations that were not able to access mental health services prior to Telepsychiatry are able and willing to access these services after the programs are implemented. Some study questionnaires incorporated asking clinicians whether or not Telemedicine makes treatment services more available to patients (Myers et al., 2007; Myers, Valentine & Melzer, 2008; Pesämaa et al., 2007). One study determined the amount of new patients that were seen since a Telepsychiatry program was implemented in the region (Myers et al., 2010). Another study found that Telepsychiatry allowed a population of incarcerated youth to access a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who specialized in the care of youth in foster care and detention. They would not have had access to a specialized mental health practitioner if it was not for this program (Myers et al., 2006). An evaluation of the Toronto paediatric Telepsychiatry program operated through the Hospital for Sick Children showed that more children were able to access direct clinical consultations, youth were also able to get urgent help and treatment in French (Pignatiello et al., …show more content…
However, studies need also be directly measuring whether or not programs are meeting program objectives. This can expose flaws in program designs by revealing whether or not Telepsychiatry is creating systemic barriers for communities that do not have computers, or youth and adolescents that are unable to access health care centres that house Telepsychiatry programs. It is important to determine whether Telepsychiatry is able to reach all children and youth who experience barriers to accessing mental health services and what societal and economic barriers may be preventing this. Horkheimer (1972/68) warned that scientific findings cannot be generalized to all circumstances. Positive findings on Telepsychiatry are not applicable to rural and marginalized communities that, for whatever reason, do not use Telepsychiatry. Studies need to be done to determine whether or not programs are reaching the populations that they are aiming to reach. If not, the barriers to access need to be eliminated, or alternative, more liberating processes need to be
Limited literature exists on whether or not populations that were not able to access mental health services prior to Telepsychiatry are able and willing to access these services after the programs are implemented. Some study questionnaires incorporated asking clinicians whether or not Telemedicine makes treatment services more available to patients (Myers et al., 2007; Myers, Valentine & Melzer, 2008; Pesämaa et al., 2007). One study determined the amount of new patients that were seen since a Telepsychiatry program was implemented in the region (Myers et al., 2010). Another study found that Telepsychiatry allowed a population of incarcerated youth to access a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist who specialized in the care of youth in foster care and detention. They would not have had access to a specialized mental health practitioner if it was not for this program (Myers et al., 2006). An evaluation of the Toronto paediatric Telepsychiatry program operated through the Hospital for Sick Children showed that more children were able to access direct clinical consultations, youth were also able to get urgent help and treatment in French (Pignatiello et al., …show more content…
However, studies need also be directly measuring whether or not programs are meeting program objectives. This can expose flaws in program designs by revealing whether or not Telepsychiatry is creating systemic barriers for communities that do not have computers, or youth and adolescents that are unable to access health care centres that house Telepsychiatry programs. It is important to determine whether Telepsychiatry is able to reach all children and youth who experience barriers to accessing mental health services and what societal and economic barriers may be preventing this. Horkheimer (1972/68) warned that scientific findings cannot be generalized to all circumstances. Positive findings on Telepsychiatry are not applicable to rural and marginalized communities that, for whatever reason, do not use Telepsychiatry. Studies need to be done to determine whether or not programs are reaching the populations that they are aiming to reach. If not, the barriers to access need to be eliminated, or alternative, more liberating processes need to be