First Nations Innovation - Publications

Conference Papers and Proceedings
#16 (2009)

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Publication #16 2009, October - Clinicians’ Attitudes toward the Use of Information and Communication Technologies for Mental Health Services in Remote and Rural Areas

Reference: Gibson, K., Simms, D., O'Donnell, S., & Molyneaux, H. (2009). Clinicians’ Attitudes toward the Use of Information and Communication Technologies for Mental Health Services in Remote and Rural Areas. Canadian Society of Telehealth Conference (CST 2009), Vancouver, BC, October 3-6.

Abstract: Little research exists regarding clinicians’ attitudes towards the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in clinical service provision – particularly within populations such as First Nations and Operational Stress Injury (OSI) clients. These clients may be particularly well served by technologies such as videoconferencing which allow clinicians to service these clients, many of whom are located in remote and rural geographical locations. However, adoption of these services is dependent upon on clinicians’ willingness to use these technologies. In this paper we discuss the results of qualitative and quantitative analysis of both survey and interview responses with a specific emphasis on clinicians’ attitudes towards use of ICT in service delivery in the present and future. Further, we explore successes, challenges and barriers to the use of technology as well as suggestions for future directions for research.