Diagnostic Assessment via Live Telehealth (Phone or Video) Versus Face-to-Face for the Diagnoses of Psychiatric Conditions: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To determine the validity of telephone or video interviews, compared to face-to-face, for psychiatric diagnosis.Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO from inception to June 22, 2023, and performed backward and forward citation analysis on all included studies on August 3, 2023.Study Selection: We included primary studies comparing live telehealth (via telephone or videoconferencing) with face-to-face interviews using the same standardized diagnostic criteria for a mental health condition. Each patient had to undergo both modes of interviewing. Risk of bias was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2.Results: This review included 35 studies. Seven are clinical studies that compare telehealth with face-to-face consultations for initial psychiatric diagnosis; telehealth via video or telephone is a reliable alternative for some specific disorders or for use in some specific populations that were studied. The other 28 studies compared telehealth to face-to-face interviews for the use of mental health standardized diagnostic instruments for a broad range of conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and autism spectrum disorder, demonstrating good agreement and reliability. Telehealth holds promise for psychiatric assessments, especially when in-person evaluations are not feasible.Conclusions: From the limited studies primarily conducted before the expansion of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, several small studies suggest that telehealth's psychiatric diagnoses or assessments of various psychiatric conditions seem to be a viable option and should be considered for certain patients during situations, settings, or environments. More research is needed, as telehealth has become more broadly utilized.

Leveraging telementoring platforms to enhance PA capacity and education.

ABSTRACT: Telementoring is a valuable workforce development resource that connects subject matter experts with healthcare providers via videoconferencing. This technology can deliver training, education, and ongoing technical support to build workforce capacity. Arizona State University (ASU) has leveraged a widely used telementoring platform, Project ECHO, to disseminate best practices in palliative medicine. The model has increased clinician knowledge and confidence, and the learning network may provide protective factors for clinician wellness. The replicable and inclusive nature of telementoring platforms creates educational opportunities to align learners across the didactic and clinical years of medical training, as well as into early- and midcareer for physician associates/assistants (PAs). Telementoring programs can be used across the PA learning continuum, including in PA training programs.

Health Professionals' Views on the Use of Conversational Agents for Health Care: Qualitative Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of conversational agents for health promotion and service delivery. To date, health professionals' views on the use of this technology have received limited attention in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how health professionals view the use of conversational agents for health care. METHODS: Physicians, nurses, and regulated mental health professionals were recruited using various web-based methods. Participants were interviewed individually using the Zoom (Zoom Video Communications, Inc) videoconferencing platform. Interview questions focused on the potential benefits and risks of using conversational agents for health care, as well as the best way to integrate conversational agents into the health care system. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and uploaded to NVivo (version 12; QSR International, Inc) for thematic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 24 health professionals participated in the study (19 women, 5 men; mean age 42.75, SD 10.71 years). Participants said that the use of conversational agents for health care could have certain benefits, such as greater access to care for patients or clients and workload support for health professionals. They also discussed potential drawbacks, such as an added burden on health professionals (eg, program familiarization) and the limited capabilities of these programs. Participants said that conversational agents could be used for routine or basic tasks, such as screening and assessment, providing information and education, and supporting individuals between appointments. They also said that health professionals should have some oversight in terms of the development and implementation of these programs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide insight into health professionals' views on the use of conversational agents for health care, particularly in terms of the benefits and drawbacks of these programs and how they should be integrated into the health care system. These collective findings offer useful information and guidance to stakeholders who have an interest in the development and implementation of this technology.

Telepsychiatry in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorders.

This chapter explores the transformative role of telepsychiatry in managing major depressive disorders (MDD). Traversing geographical barriers and reducing stigma, this innovative branch of telemedicine leverages digital platforms to deliver effective psychiatric care. We investigate the evolution of telepsychiatry, examining its diverse interventions such as videoconferencing-based psychotherapy, medication management, and mobile applications. While offering significant advantages like increased accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and improved patient engagement, challenges in telepsychiatry include technological barriers, privacy concerns, ethical and legal considerations, and digital literacy gaps. Looking forward, emerging technologies like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and precision medicine hold immense potential to personalize and enhance treatment effectiveness. Recognizing its limitations and advocating for equitable access, this chapter underscores telepsychiatry's power to revolutionize MDD treatment, making quality mental healthcare a reality for all.

'Making a connection': a qualitative study of experiences from a cancer telerehabilitation program.

PURPOSE: Specialised group-based exercise rehabilitation is beneficial for cancer survivors but access to these services is limited. Telerehabilitation provides an opportunity to expand reach, but we do not know about the experiences of those who participate in this way. This study explored participant experiences of an exercise-based telerehabilitation program for people with cancer. METHOD: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was completed. Twenty-two cancer survivors were purposively sampled from the experimental group of a randomised controlled trial evaluating exercise-based cancer telerehabilitation delivered in groups using synchronous videoconferencing. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were coded independently by two reviewers and analysed inductively by thematic analysis. RESULTS: 'A feeling of connection' was the overarching theme. Participants perceived they connected with the health service, expert health professionals, and peers through participating in the telerehabilitation program. These connections provided a personalised rehabilitation experience and improved perceptions of physical and emotional well-being. Two subthemes suggested connection was facilitated by (1) the acceptability of telerehabilitation and (2) enhanced accountability to exercise. Participants felt disconnected when they were unable to participate in the program due to cancer treatment and side effects (e.g. fatigue), feeling unwell, and co-morbidities. CONCLUSION: We identified that telerehabilitation facilitated connections that enhanced the reach of exercise to cancer survivors. Our findings support using telerehabilitation to deliver specialised group-based exercise programs alongside more traditional models of care to increase participation in exercise among people with cancer.

An Assessment of the Efficacy of an Online Pain Management Programme During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated social distancing requirements, Pain Services were no longer able to deliver face-to-face Pain Management Programmes (PMP). As an alternative, the Bury Integrated Pain Service developed an interactive, online programme, delivered via Microsoft Teams videoconferencing technology. However, the efficacy of such programmes is unclear. The aim of this project was to assess whether comparable results were observed with online PMPs as with face-to-face PMPs. METHODS: A non-inferiority study comparing patients attending an online PMP to a historical cohort of patients attending face-to-face PMPs. Analyses of variance were performed to assess between group differences and chi squared tests to compare the proportion of patients making clinically meaningful changes in pain, musculoskeletal health, anxiety, depression and self-efficacy. RESULTS: 24% of patients (n = 9) deemed suitable for the online PMP were unable to participate due to technological difficulties. This resulted in 28 people attending the online PMP. Greater mean reductions in anxiety (GAD-7 mean difference = 1.9; p < 0.05) and depression (PHQ-9 mean difference 3.3; p < 0.05) were observed with face-to-face PMP and a greater proportion of patients made clinically meaningful improvements in musculoskeletal health (face-to-face = 13; online = 5), anxiety (face-to-face = 7; online = 1), and depression (face-to-face = 11; online = 2). CONCLUSIONS: Some patients appear to obtain significant benefit from online PMPs, but this appeared to be to a lesser extent than face-to-face PMPs. It is possible that factors related to the experience of the pandemic influenced these results. However, online PMPs appear to show some promise and further research is warranted to explore the value of online PMPs.

Four Tips for Improving Video Telehealth Patient-Clinician Communication.

This JAMA Insights explores the differences between in-person and telehealth encounters between patients and clinicians and offers clinicians guidance on how to improve communication with patients when meeting virtually.

Play your way to an "A": helping students engage during the social isolation of remote learning.

With the increased attention focused on active learning, educators strive to find better and more innovative ways to engage students in the classroom. One of the hurtles that educators are presented with is that the classroom is no longer limited to a physical location but rather students and professor can meet via the internet, Before COVID-19, distance or remote learning was something that students, by and large, had the option of choosing in which whether to engage. Students had the option to take "online courses," whether those be synchronous remote learning or asynchronous online courses. Indeed, numerous studies have focused on investigating the efficacy of many different approaches to distance and online learning. Unfortunately, COVID 19 mandated a rapid transition to remote learning, and with this forced change has come what some students describe as "Zoom fatigue" (Wolf CR. Psychology Today, May 2020). Many students reported feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and disengaged by the dramatic increase in mandated distance education required by the COVID pandemic. Video conferencing has become the "go-to" panacea for education during this time, and students are spending unprecedented amounts of time in front of a screen when normally they would be in a classroom. This heretofore singular and unique approach to education coupled with decreased peer-to-peer interaction has caused a problem with student engagement (Goodman BE, Barker MK, Cooke JE. Adv Physiol Educ 42: 417-423, 2018). Students' engagement and performance have decreased during COVID-19 because of forced online learning and lack of peer interaction. We hypothesize that creating a nongraded, fun, and relaxing physiology-focused "Trivia Night" will increase student engagement and performance on summative assessments. Using a master's level class progressing through the respiratory physiology module utilizing remote, synchronous lectures to deliver content, we introduced a voluntary Trivia Night review session with teams randomly assigned to increase interaction among peers and review respiratory physiology material.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This article presents the effectiveness of the use of the "pub Trivia Night" to facilitate learning, deconstruct misconceptions, and increase engagement during remote teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patient Selection Is the Key for Successful Video Appointments: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The use of video appointments (VAs) increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the evolution of VA utilisation in Finland using data from two surveys conducted in 2021 (40 responses) and 2023 (30 responses). Our primary aim was to identify patient groups best suited for VAs. Respondents were either neurologists or neurologists-in-training. Our findings suggest that patients with epilepsy or headaches are most suitable for VAs. VAs were primarily used for follow-up visits during both survey periods, but their application for first visits decreased from 68.20% in 2021 to 27.80% in 2023. Healthcare professionals' concerns about data protection have diminished over time, but there is still need for enhanced training in the use of remote applications. Future research should focus on validating the cost-effectiveness, data security and timeliness of VAs.

Expectations and Preferences for Digital Cessation Treatment: Multimethods Study Among Older Adults Who Smoke Cigarettes.

BACKGROUND: To address enduring age-related tobacco disparities, it is critical to promote cessation treatment among older adults (aged 65+ years). Digital health platforms offer opportunities for wide dissemination of evidence-based behavioral cessation support. However, existing digital cessation treatments are not tailored to unique aging-related needs and preferences, resulting in low uptake. Detailed information is needed about how to best adapt these treatments for this age group. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to collect detailed, hypothesis-generating information about expectations and preferences for cessation digital treatment among older adults who smoke cigarettes. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted with adults aged 65+ years currently smoking or who had quit within the past month. Interviews included open-ended questions regarding prior experiences with digital health platforms and expectations and preferences for cessation treatment via various modalities (app-delivered, texting-based, or videoconferencing counseling). Interviews also elicited questions regarding digital modalities that integrated social components (app-delivered social forums and group videoconferencing counseling). Using an iterative, team-based approach, the thematic analysis identified meaningful themes. Interviews were supplemented with quantitative measures assessing sociodemographics, digital literacy, and physical health symptoms. RESULTS: Participants (12/20, 60% men; 15/20, 75% White; 4/20, 20% Black or African American; 1/20, 5% Asian) were currently smoking (17/20, 85%) or had recently quit (3/20, 15%). Thematic analysis identified 3 meaningful themes across all digital modalities: convenience, accessibility, and personalization. Expected benefits of digital platforms included convenient treatment access, without reliance on transportation. Participants preferred treatments to be personalized and deliver content or strategies beyond standard education. Most (17/20, 85%) were unfamiliar with cessation apps but found them appealing given the potential for offering a novel quitting strategy. App ease of use (eg, easy navigation) was preferred. Half (10/20, 50%) would try a texting-based intervention, with many preferring texting with a counselor rather than automated messaging. Most (17/20, 85%) would use videoconferencing and expected this modality to deliver better quality counseling than via telephone. Expected videoconferencing challenges included looking presentable onscreen, technological difficulties, and privacy or security. Videoconferencing was regarded as the most personalized digital treatment, yet benefits unique to app-delivered and texting-based treatments included anonymity and access to treatment 24/7. Participants expected integrating social components into digital treatment to be useful for quit success and social connection, yet were concerned about possible interpersonal challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Because a long history of quit attempts and familiarity with standard quitting advice is common among older adults who smoke cigarettes, digital platforms might offer appealing and novel strategies for cessation that are accessible and convenient. Overall, this population was open to trying digital cessation treatments and would prefer that these platforms prioritize ease of use and personalized content. These findings challenge the bias that older adults are uninterested or unwilling to engage with digital treatments for behavioral health.

Virtual Supervision in Graduate Medical Education: A Systematic Review.

Background Despite the increased use of telemedicine, the evidence base on virtual supervision in graduate medical education (GME) is not well described. Objective To systematically review the impact of virtual supervision on trainee education, patient care, and patient satisfaction in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited specialties. Methods Two databases (PubMed, EMBASE) were searched from database inception to December 2022. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, full-text, English-language articles reporting the use of virtual supervision in GME in ACGME-accredited specialties. Exclusion criteria were studies involving direct supervision, supervisors who were not credentialed physicians, or non-GME trainees. Two investigators independently extracted data and appraised the methodological quality of each study using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The reporting of this systematic review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results Of 5278 records identified, 26 studies met the eligibility criteria. Virtual supervision was predominantly utilized in operating rooms and inpatient settings, facilitating clinical examinations or surgical procedures through videoconferencing software in specialties such as dermatology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics. However, some studies reported technical challenges that hindered effective teaching and communication. Based on self-reported surveys, supervisor and trainee satisfaction with virtual supervision was mixed, while patient satisfaction with the care was generally high. The MMAT ratings suggested limitations in sampling strategy, outcome measurement, and confounding factors. Conclusions Virtual supervision was applicable to various specialties and settings, facilitating communication between supervisors and trainees, although there were some technological challenges.

How users make online privacy decisions in work and personal contexts of use.

With the rising usage of contactless work options since COVID-19, users increasingly share their personal data in digital tools at work. Using an experimental online vignette study (N = 93), we examined users' willingness to use a video conferencing tool, while systematically varying the context of use (personal vs. low trustworthiness work vs. high trustworthiness work) and the type of information shared (low vs. medium vs. high sensitivity). We also assessed users' perceived responsibility in work and personal contexts of use and their self-assessed digital competence. Our results highlight employer trustworthiness as an important factor in the willingness to use a third-party video conferencing tool, with increased willingness to use these tools in work contexts of use with high trustworthiness compared to those with low trustworthiness. This effect seems to be reduced when the data to be shared is of high sensitivity, compared to medium and low sensitivity data. Furthermore, despite reduced responsibility for data protection in work compared to personal contexts of use, the willingness to use a video conferencing tool did not decrease between trustworthy work and personal contexts of use. We discuss our findings and their methodological implications for future research and derive implications for privacy decisions at work.

Protocol for a randomized clinical trial to confirm the effectiveness of online guided self-help family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: The leading evidence-based treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN) in adolescents is Family-based Treatment (FBT). However, due to the intensive training requirements and lack of practitioners, it is often difficult for families to access FBT. Thus, innovations that improve access to care are needed. A pilot randomized study of a guided self-help version of Family-based Treatment (GSH-FBT) that utilized approximately 1/4 the amount of therapist time compared to FBT found that the approach was acceptable and appeared to achieve similar outcomes. The study protocol detailed in this manuscript compares the efficiency (clinician time) of GSH-FBT to Family-based Treatment via Videoconferencing (FBT-V) in a fully powered study in achieving clinical outcomes through a multi-site randomized clinical trial across the US and Ontario, Canada. METHODS: This study will randomize the families of adolescents ages 12-18 (n = 200) who meet DSM-5 criteria for AN to receive either GSH-FBT or FBT-V. Participants will be randomized to 15 sixty-minute sessions of FBT-V or to 10 twenty-minute sessions of online GSH-FBT. Major assessments will be conducted by a masked assessor at baseline, within treatment, at the end of treatment (EOT), and 6 and 12 months after the end of treatment (EOT). The primary outcomes of this study are changes to body weight and eating disorder cognitions relative to clinician time used (relative efficiency of treatment modality). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study may help increase access to care by providing a time efficient, affordable, more scalable intervention for adolescent AN compared to standard FBT.

Relationship of Rurality and Confidence in Video Skills With Persistent Nonuse of Video Appointments for Health Care.

INTRODUCTION: Limited research has examined how technology and digital literacy may affect patients' use of video visits. This study explored the relationship of demographic factors and patient-reported confidence in digital literacy skills to access to video visits among patients who never used them during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Using existing survey data, the current study examined data from respondents who did not engage in video appointments but instead attended face-to-face appointments between April and December 2020 for nonemergent health concerns. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to investigate whether demographic and social determinants of health factors, context of care (primary care or psychiatry/psychology), and digital literacy confidence were associated with video visit engagement. Collinearity was assessed using the variance inflation factor. RESULTS: This study found that living in rural areas and having a self-reported lack of confidence in logging video appointments using the Mayo Clinic patient portal were associated with persistent nonuse of video appointments in a cohort of patients who did not use video visits at this institution during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic. DISCUSSION: The research findings reported herein reveal that individuals living in rural areas and those who lack confidence in logging into patient portals to access video visits tend to persistently avoid using video appointments. More investment is needed at the federal and corporate levels to improve digital connectivity. Digital navigators and community involvement can promote digital adoption. CONCLUSION: To encourage digital competency in rural communities, it is important to implement support strategies through community stakeholders and other resources.

[Patient survey on the use of video consultation in the outpatient treatment of chronic pruritus]. / Patientenbefragung zum Einsatz von Videosprechstunden in der ambulanten Behandlung von chronischem Pruritus.

BACKGROUND: Analyses of patient evaluations and barriers to the implementation of teledermatology procedures are still rare. The aim of this study was to determine whether administrative processes have an influence on the patient evaluation of telephone and video consultations. METHODS: With the help of a patient survey, assessments of the processes and organisation surrounding the outpatient appointment were asked. These were then compared to the assessment of whether the telephone or video consultation is an alternative to on-site consultation. RESULTS: In all, 1538 patients took part in the survey. Significant correlations were found between the evaluation of the telephone or video consultation and the distance between the place of residence and the outpatient clinic, whether the patient had already been seen several times or for the first time, as well as the evaluation of the waiting time for the appointment, the organisation before the appointment and the waiting time in the outpatient clinic. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that even after the Coronavirus pandemic, telephone and video consultations remain an important tool for patients to contact their physician. However, patients' perceptions of the processes around the outpatient appointment have an influence on their willingness to participate in a digital consultation.

Efficacy of technology-based mental health interventions in minimizing mental health symptoms among in immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees; systematic review.

Digital health technologies may offer an alternate approach to augmenting the established mental health care delivery systems for migrants and promoting their mental well-being. This review aims to provide a broad examination of literature, to determine the impact of technology-based interventions on outcomes of immigrants and refugees experiencing mental health symptoms associated with pre-and postmigration stress (depression, anxiety, psychological stress, PTSD). We searched five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the ACM digital library). We included studies that looked at the effectiveness of any technologybased intervention (internet or phone-based, telepsychiatry, telemedicine, digital technology, videoconferencing, or tele video). We limited our search to articles written in English and published up until January 2202. Two reviewers independently extracted article data and evaluated the quality of studies using the Cochrane risk-of-bias criteria and ROBINS-I risk of bias evaluation tool. We found scant evidence that the use of digital interventions, such as mobile-based therapies, video conferencing, and digital platforms, is associated with a statistically significant reduction in depressive and anxious symptoms among immigrants and refugees. In the included trials, no evidence of a substantial decrease in PTSD symptoms was found following the use of a self-help mobile app. Our systematic review revealed intriguing but limited evidence that digital psychological therapies can reduce depression in immigrants and refugees. Future study with a randomized experimental design is required to examine the effectiveness of digital treatments in lowering the impacts of mental health outcomes among immigrants.

Telapheresis: One institution's experience.

Telemedicine in its most common form is the use of videoconferencing to consult with a patient and telapheresis is telemedicine in the form of videotelephony applied to consult with a patient for apheresis. The article discusses how a large apheresis program in a metropolitan area provided physician coverage for apheresis in a more remote hospital using telapheresis with local physician "partners" and local nurses employed by and trained by the apheresis program that perform the procedure. Consent for the procedure was obtained, and orders were placed by the local physician after consultation with the apheresis physician, or the apheresis physician him/herself, having obtained privileges at the remote hospital. This allowed patients access to apheresis procedures nearer to their place of residence and in familiar surroundings which generally made them feel more positive about their health care experience.

The Impact of Video Calling Between Preterm Infants and Their Mothers on the Physiological Parameters of Infants and Mother-Infant Bonding.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of video calling between preterm infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their mothers on the physiological parameters of infants and mother-infant bonding. BACKGROUND: Preterm infants need prolonged treatment in the NICU, and their families may have difficulty seeing their babies during this treatment process. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized-controlled, experimental study. The study sample consisted of 75 preterm infants and their mothers. The data were collected using a maternal introductory information form, a preterm infant introductory information form, a preterm infant physiological parameters follow-up form, and the Mother-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). The study included 3 study groups: the video call group, the video call with lullaby group, and the control group. Video calls between preterm infants and their mothers were made through Zoom for 5 to 10 minutes daily for 7 days. The mothers filled out the MIBS online before and on the 7th and 30th days of the study. RESULTS: Preterm infants in the video call and the video call with lullaby groups had higher MIBS mean scores on the 7th and 30th days of the study than their pretest MIBS scores. Preterm infants in the video call and the video call with lullaby groups had statistically significantly higher MIBS mean scores on the seventh day of the study than those in the control group. At the end of the 7-day study period, there was an improvement in the physiological parameters of preterm infants in the video call group and the video call with lullaby group compared with those in the control group, and this relationship was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the implementation of video calls between mothers and preterm infants in NICUs had a healing effect on the physiological parameters of preterm infants and increased mother-infant bonding.