In the eyes of the beholder: exploring psychologists' attitudes towards and use of e-therapy in Norway.
Norwegian psychologists' use of and attitudes towards e-media such as email and mobile text messaging in interaction with clients (e-therapy) were explored. A two-dimensional scale for measuring attitudes towards e-therapy was developed. A total of 1040 (23%) members of the psychologist association responded to a questionnaire June 2003. Of these, 45% had used e-media in interaction with clients. The mean reported attitude towards e-therapy was neutral, with only 3% of the psychologists feeling that use of e-media between client and therapist is unacceptable. Having a psychodynamic theoretical stance was related to attitudes towards e-therapy. Positive attitude was related to clinical use of email and Short Messages Service (SMS). It appears likely that e-therapy will become more common, and that therapist's attitudes are related to such use.
Wangberg
Silje C
SC
Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine, University Hospital of North Norway, P.O. Box 35, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway. Silje.Camilla.Wangberg@telemed.no
Gammon
Deede
D
Spitznogle
Kristin
K
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011584:Psychology; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012932:Social Facilitation; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*