This article describes how one large correctional mental health system modified its traditional methods of providing services at remote rural prisons. It describes the system as it existed in the more traditional mode, then describes the transition to using more telepsychiatry/ psychology and fewer on-site clinics. It also reports on a staff opinion survey of both the on-site and remote telepsych clinics. Finally, it provides recommendations and a checklist that can assist others who may be deciding to use combination methods of on-site and telepsychiatry in their prison systems.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BaerL., ElfordR., & CukorP. (1997). Telepsychiatry at forty: What have we learned?. Harvard Review Psychiatry, 5, 7-17.
2.
Baigent, M. F. (1998). The reliability of psychiatric assessment by video conference. Telemedicine services: Rural and remote mental health, South Australian Health Commission (Available on-line: www.adelaide.net.au/-telmed/%20clineval2.html).
3.
Beck, A. J., & Mumola, C. J. (1999). Prisoners in 1998. (BJS Bulletin, NCJ 175687). Washington, D.C.; Bureau of Justice Statistics.
4.
Crowe, B. L. (1998). Cost-effectiveness analysis of telemedicine. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 4, 14-17.
5.
CukorP., & BaerL. (1994). Human factor issues in telemedicine: A practical guide with particular attention to psychiatry. Telemedicine Today, 2, 9-18.
6.
Ditton, P. M. (1999). Mental health and treatment of inmates and probationers. (BJS Special Report NCJ 174463). Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics.
7.
James, J. F., PokorneyL., Eckert-Cruser, dA., & GregoryD. (1991). Program deinstitutionalization. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 18(6), 447-450.
8.
LovellD., & RhodesL. (1997). Mobile consultation: Crossing correctional boundaries to cope with disturbed offenders. Federal Probation, 61(3), 40-45.
9.
McDonaldD., HassolA., & CarlsonK. (1999, April). Can telemedicine reduce spending and improve prisoner health care?. National Institute of Justice Journal, 20-25.
10.
RothchildE. (1999). Telepsychiatry: Why do it?. Psychiatric Annals, 29, 394-400.
11.
Sisk, J. E., & Sanders, J. H. (1998). A proposed framework for economic evaluation of telemedicine. Telemedicine Journal, 4, 31-37.
12.
YellowleesP. (1997). Successful development of telemedicine-seven core principles. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 3, 215-222.
13.
Zaylor, C. L. (1999). An adult telepsychiatry clinic’s growing pains: How to treat more than 200 patients in 7 locations. Psychiatric Annals, 29, 402-408.