Use and Feasibility of Telemedicine Technology in the Dissemination of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

• NCJ Number: 224551
• Journal: Child Maltreatment Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2008 Pages: 377-382
• Author(s): Beverly W. Funderburk; Lisa M. Ware; Elizabeth Altshuler; Mark Chaffin
• Date Published: November 2008
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For related articles in this special issue see NCJ-224546-50, and NCJ-224552-55

Annotation

This brief report discusses the feasibility and use of technology in the dissemination of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).

Abstract

This article discusses the use and feasibility of telemedicine technology in the dissemination of PCIT. PCIT is described as an empirically supported behavioral parent training program for reducing disruptive behavior in young children and for reducing future rates of child physical abuse. The positive impact PCIT has demonstrated in reducing child maltreatment has galvanized interest in widespread dissemination of the PCIT model into child service systems. The authors indicate that PCIT has traditionally been taught in university-based training programs in a mentored co-therapy model, but by contrast, in field settings, PCIT training typically consists of workshop training supplemented by a period of telephone consultation (PC). Given concerns with the level of practitioner competency and fidelity yielded by the PC model, PCIT training programs have begun to examine Internet-based telemedicine technology to deliver live, mentored PCIT training to trainees at remote locations (Remote Real-Time or RRT) to better approximate the university-based training model. Challenges of disseminating evidence-based practices are also discussed, using PCIT as a model of how these challenges are being addressed by telemedicine technology. References