title: The feasibility of videoconferencing for neuropsychological assessments of rural youth experiencing early psychosis.
abstract: We conducted a pilot study of the feasibility of videoconferencing as a mode of neuropsychological assessment in young people (14-30 years) from a rural area of New South Wales experiencing early psychosis. All participants (n = 11) completed assessments both face-to-face and by videoconference at a bandwidth of 384 kbit/s. Assessments included confirmation of diagnosis, quality of life and neurocognitive functioning. There was a strong correlation between modes of assessment for most instruments. Bland-Altman plots indicated that in general the mean difference between face-to-face and videoconference modes of assessment was close to zero with significant bias only evident for general cognitive functioning (WTAR), where videoconferencing produced higher ratings than face-to-face assessments. Feedback from the participants indicated strong acceptability of assessment by videoconferencing, thus supporting further investigation of use of this mode of assessment for clinical and research purposes.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Bloomfield Hospital, Forest Road, Orange, New South Wales 2800, Australia. helen.stain@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: Helen J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Stain
authors.forename: Kristy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thienel
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Michie
authors.forename: Vaughan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009517:New South Wales; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012424:Rural Population; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods; D049269:Videoconferencing; D055815:Young Adult