Tele-social work and mental health in rural and remote communities in Australia

Rural and remote communities often have complex and diverse mental health needs and inadequate mental health services and infrastructure. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide an array of potentially innovative and cost-effective means for connecting rural and remote communities...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International social work 2018-01, Vol.61 (1), p.143-155
Main Authors: Bryant, Lia, Garnham, Bridget, Tedmanson, Deirdre, Diamandi, Sophie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Communication
Communications technology
Community mental health services
Cost analysis
Health needs
Health services
Information technology
Infrastructure
Literature reviews
Medical personnel
Mental health
Mental health professionals
Mental health services
Professional practice
Psychology
Remote areas
Rural areas
Rural communities
Social values
Social work
Social work education
Social workers
Support services
Uptake
Work values
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Summary:Rural and remote communities often have complex and diverse mental health needs and inadequate mental health services and infrastructure. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide an array of potentially innovative and cost-effective means for connecting rural and remote communities to specialist mental health practitioners, services, and supports, irrespective of physical location. However, despite this potential, a review of Australian and international literature reveals that ICT has not attained widespread uptake into social work practice or implementation in rural communities. This article reviews the social work literature on ICT, draws on research on tele-psychology and tele-education, and provides suggestions on how to enhance engagement with ICT by social workers to implement and provide mental health services and supports tailored to community values, needs, and preferences that are commensurate with the values of the social work profession.
ISSN:0020-8728
1461-7234
DOI:10.1177/0020872815606794