Utility of Real-Time Video Teleconferencing in Conducting Family Mental Health Sessions: Two Case Reports

Abstract

Due to the worldwide mission of the military, service members often find themselves isolated from their families and other important people in their lives. Historically, this has been especially problematic during periods of illness, as the isolation has precluded the meaningful involvement of families in patient care. With the increased availability of real-time video teleconferences (VTCs), however, providers may now gain access to family members. The Inpatient Psychiatry Department at Tripler has conducted therapeutic trials of family meetings using real time VTCs. These meetings are used to facilitate social support and mend family disconnections. The high clarity images offered through this system were instrumental in developing a virtual interactive social presence among the participants. Despite the potential benefits of VTC in gaining accessing to family support, there is little mention of such clinical family meetings in the medical literature. This report describes two case examples of the application of real-time family VTC in the management of mental illness.