Topical issues of improving the quality of online services in the field of child mental health

Introduction. There has been conducted study on the risks and benefits of remote psychiatric and psychological services provided through video-internet communication.

Purpose. To explore and manage the quality of telehealth services in mental health, including such aspects as legal, ethical, clinical, social risks relevant for online counseling.

Methods. The attitude towards online counseling format among clients and mental health care providers (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical counselors) was explored with an online survey. The study included two stages with two hundred thirty two and 279 respondents.

Results. The summary of benefits included cost-efficiency of the online services, flexibility in scheduling, availability of the services for people from remote communities and with mobility issues, epidemiological benefits (accesses to services during COVID-19 pandemic). Limitations and potential risks included decrease in the quality of communication and interaction, which can result in misdiagnosis or incorrect interpretation of various tests and questionnaires, miscommunication, change in the level of motivation, age-related limitations. Additionally, there are risk factors related to technological side — e.g. potential risks for confidentiality and personal information disclosure.

Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to the method of obtaining information through an anonymous electronic survey and the relatively small number of respondents.

Conclusions. The COVID-19 epidemic has significantly accelerated the development of telemedicine. The benefits and opportunities of online sessions outweigh the risks and limitations.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study has the confirming resolution of the Local Ethical Committee of “Scientific-practical Сhildren’s and Adolescents Mental Health Center n.a. G.E. Sukhareva, Moscow Department of Health Care”, protocol №3/19, 10/31/2019.

Contribution of the authors:
Bebchuk M.A. — research concept and design, text writing, editing.
Khairetdinov O.Z. — collection and processing of material, statistical data processing, editing.
Shchedrinskaya O.M. — collection and processing of material, statistical data processing, text writing, editing.
Saakov R.G. — research concept and design, editing. 
All со-authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Acknowledgment. The study was carried out using subsidies for the fulfillment of the state task of the Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health of Сhildren and Adolescent named after G.E. Sukhareva.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: February 03, 2021
Accepted: March 17, 2021
Published: August 30, 202

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