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Copyright of HNO is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of HNO is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Coronaviruses have affected the world, and mental health services are no exception. At this point, online counseling was acknowledged as being necessary, allowing the appropriate focus to be maintained on the needs of the current era in terms of mental health services. This study examined the dimensions of online counseling from the perspective of both the clients and the counselors in order to provide a paradigmatic model. Using a qualitative design based on a content analysis approach through heterogeneous purposive sampling and triangulation, data were collected in three different ways, including interviews with counselors and clients, as well as a literature review. Online counseling and the use of information technologies in the future of mental health services will be inevitable. Data analysis indicates that technological challenges and the lack of counselor training are the main causes of online counseling failure in Iran. As a result of widespread recognition of online counseling advantages, limitations, and challenges during the pandemic, professional associations could codify up-to-date guidelines and provide need-based specialized training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To examine counselors' perceptions of their formal preparation for engaging in telemental health (TMH) counseling with the intent of gaining an understanding of their lived experiences. Materials and Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with seven seasoned counselors who regularly engage in technology-mediated distance counseling. Results: The results highlighted themes within two emerging categories: the counselor and training/education. Themes related to motivation and specific counselor attributes emerged from the first category and themes of availability, inadequacy, and modality emerged from the second category. Discussion: The implications from this study suggest a lack of availability and standardization of effective training on TMH delivery. Conclusion: This study identifies areas of potential future research related to counselors' preparation experiences as well specific areas of need for TMH training in counseling graduate programs and other natural opportunities.

Objective: During the Covid‐19 pandemic, there has been a substantial uptake of telemental health interventions. Consequently, the objective of this study was to assess psycho‐oncologists' attitudes toward and experiences with video consultations (VC) since the beginning of the Covid‐19 pandemic. Additionally, we sought to investigate psycho‐oncologists' perspectives on the benefits and drawbacks of VC and its' potential implementation beyond the pandemic. Methods: We used a multi‐methods study design. First, semi‐structured interviews with psycho‐oncologists (N = 6) were conducted to inform the development of a cross‐sectional online survey, which represented the quantitative part of our study. We invited psycho‐oncologists, working in different settings, from all over Germany to participate. Results: Data of N = 217 participants (88% female, 49% over 10 years work experience) of the online survey was analyzed. Psycho‐oncologists' acceptance toward VC was average to high. In their daily practice, they preferred in‐person consultations. Improved access to care and enhanced flexibility were seen as main advantages. The most significant disadvantages included technical issues, privacy concerns at home, loss of non‐verbal cues and absence of physical presence for emotional support. Nevertheless, on average, psycho‐oncologists wanted to continue seeing approximately 25% of their patients via VC in the future. Conclusions: Given the average to high acceptance of VC among psycho‐oncologists and their desire to continue using VC flexibly even after the pandemic, it may be beneficial to implement VC into future psycho‐oncology services. Still, future research should focus on the patients' perspective and the effectiveness of VC in psycho‐oncology services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Telemental health training in counselor education is uncommon, mostly because telemental health delivery of counseling has been limited. However, the COVID-19 pandemic required a sudden pivot to technology in order to continue to provide services to clients. Counselors-in-Training also had to pivot to telemental health field experiences, most without intentional training for such in their master's programs. This grounded theory qualitative study describes the lived experiences of seven students in their Practicum course during this period in a master's-level clinical mental health counseling program. Particular themes that emerged were concerns about lack of training in various areas, including crisis intervention/risk assessment online, and positive perceptions of creativity and accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundTobacco use and tobacco-related diseases disproportionately affect Alaska Native (AN) people. Using telemedicine, this study aims to identify culturally-tailored, theoretically-driven, efficacious interventions for tobacco use and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk behaviors among AN people in remote areas.DesignRandomized clinical trial with two intervention arms: 1) tobacco and physical activity; 2) medication adherence and a heart-healthy AN diet.ParticipantsParticipants are N = 300 AN men and women current smokers with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.InterventionsAll participants receive motivational, stage-tailored, telemedicine-delivered counseling sessions at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up; an individualized behavior change plan that is updated at each contact; and a behavior change manual. In Group 1, the focus is on tobacco and physical activity; a pedometer is provided and nicotine replacement therapy is offered. In Group 2, the focus is on medication adherence for treating hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia; a medication bag and traditional food guide are provided.MeasurementsWith assessments at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, the primary outcome is smoking status, assessed as 7-day point prevalence abstinence, biochemically verified with urine anabasine. Secondary outcomes include physical activity, blood pressure and cholesterol, medication compliance, diet, multiple risk behavior change indices, and cost-effectiveness.CommentsThe current study has the potential to identify novel, feasible, acceptable, and efficacious interventions for treating the co-occurrence of CVD risk factors in AN people. Findings may inform personalized treatment and the development of effective and cost-effective intervention strategies for use in remote indigenous communities more broadly. Clinical Trial Registration # NCT02137902.

IntroductionTobacco and alcohol often are used simultaneously by young adults, and their co-use is associated with greater health consequences than from single use. Social media platforms offer low cost and highly accessible channels to reach and engage young people in substance use interventions. The current trial seeks to compare the Facebook Tobacco Status Project (TSP) smoking cessation intervention to an intervention targeting both tobacco use and heavy episodic drinking (TSP + ALC) among young adults who use both substances.MethodsThis randomized clinical trial will evaluate the feasibility and initial efficacy of TSP + ALC compared to TSP with 225 US young adult smokers reporting heavy drinking. Participants will be recruited online and randomized to one of two conditions (TSP or TSP + ALC), both with assignment to a Facebook group tailored to readiness to quit smoking. Groups will receive a 90-day intervention including daily Facebook postings and weekly live counseling sessions. The TSP + ALC group will include content related to alcohol use. All participants will be offered a 2-week introductory supply of nicotine patch. Participants will complete baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-month online assessments of substance use and other health risk behaviors. The primary efficacy outcome is biochemically-verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence. Secondary outcomes include alcohol and tobacco use, combined use, and thoughts about each substance.DiscussionThis trial examines an innovative and scalable approach to engaging young adults online in tobacco and alcohol use treatment. Study findings will inform digital health interventions and best practices for treating multiple substance use in young adults.

Telemedicine is a term that covers all procedures supported by communication technology, which has the purpose of providing health services at a specific spatial distance. This is an area that is developing rapidly and has found particular application in otorhinolaryngology, given that a large number of surgeries are performed with the help of endoscopes and microscopes. Telemedicine also represents a significant advantage during the coronavirus pandemic, both in terms of treating patients and monitoring them more effectively. For the purpose of preparing this article, research published on Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google was reviewed using the keywords “telemedicine” and “otorhinolaryngology”. This review article provides a summary and the latest insights in this broad and fast-growing area. The development of telemedicine in Croatia as well as a special review of the application of telemedicine during the coronavirus pandemic is also presented in this article.

Technology-based interventions have been shown to reduce maladaptive eating behaviors and associated risk factors. Though several reviews have examined the effectiveness of technology-based interventions for eating problems, this is the first meta-analysis focused solely on controlled trials that include participants with threshold eating disorders. Eleven eligible studies were identified. Significant effects favoring technology-based interventions over waitlist/minimal intervention control were found for global eating pathology, eating concern, objective binge episodes, dietary restraint, shape concern, weight concern, bulimia, drive for thinness, and interoceptive awareness. Limitations of the study include evidence of non-random variation in some pooled effect sizes and a lack of studies with anorexia nervosa patients. The results provide preliminary support for technology-based intervention as a promising strategy for the treatment of threshold eating disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The accessibility of medical facilities for cancer patients affects both their comfort and survival. Patients in rural areas have a higher socioeconomic burden and are more vulnerable to emergency situations than urban dwellers. This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a cancer care model integrating a regional cancer center (RCC) and public health center (PHC). Methods: This study analyzed the construction of a safety care network for cancer patients that integrated an RCC and PHC. Two public health institutions (an RCC in Gyeongnam and a PHC in Geochang County) collaborated on the development of the community care model. The study lasted 13 months beginning in February 2019 to February 2020. Results: The RCC developed the protocol for evaluating and measuring 27 cancer-related symptoms, conducted education for PHC nurses, and administered case counseling. The staff at the PHC registered, evaluated, and routinely monitored patients through home visits. A smartphone application and regular video conferences were incorporated to facilitate mutual communication. In total, 177 patients (mean age: 70.9 years; men: 59%) were enrolled from February 2019 to February 2020. Patients' greatest unmet need was the presence of a nearby cancer treatment hospital (83%). In total, 28 (33%) and 44 (52%) participants answered that the care model was very helpful or helpful, respectively. Conclusion: We confirmed that a combined RCC-PHC program for cancer patients in rural areas is feasible and can bring satisfaction to patients as a safety care network. This program could mitigate health inequalities caused by accessibility issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundHealth promotion interventions often include multiple components and several patient contacts. The objective of this study was to examine how participation within a multicomponent intervention (Project SHARE) is associated with changes in at-risk drinking among older adults.MethodsWe analyzed observational data from a cluster-randomized trial of 31 primary care physicians and their patients aged ≥60 years, at a community-based practice with 7 clinics. Recruitment occurred between 2005 and 2007. At-risk drinkers in a particular physician's practice were randomly assigned as a group to usual care (n = 640 patients) versus intervention (n = 546 patients). The intervention included personalized reports, educational materials, drinking diaries, in-person physician advice, and telephone counseling by health educators (HEs). The primary outcome was at-risk drinking at follow-up, defined by scores on the Comorbidity Alcohol Risk Evaluation Tool (CARET). Predictors included whether a physician-patient alcohol risk discussion occurred, HE call occurred, drinking agreement with the HE was made, and patients self-reported keeping a drinking diary as suggested by the HE.ResultsAt 6 months, there was no association of at-risk drinking with having had a physician-patient discussion. Compared to having had no HE call, the odds of at-risk drinking at 6 months were lower if an agreement was made or patients reported keeping a diary (odds ratio [OR] 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37 to 0.90), or if an agreement was made and patients reported keeping a diary (OR 0.52, CI 0.28 to 0.97). At 12 months, a physician-patient discussion (OR 0.61, CI 0.38 to 0.98) or an agreement and reported use of a diary (OR 0.45, CI 0.25) were associated with lower odds of at-risk drinking.ConclusionsWithin the Project SHARE intervention, discussing alcohol risk with a physician, making a drinking agreement, and/or self-reporting the use of a drinking diary were associated with lower odds of at-risk drinking at follow-up. Future studies targeting at-risk drinking among older adults should consider incorporating both intervention components.

The article describes a training model and support of specialists of child's helpline in the supplementary education system, delivered from 2011 to 2019 in the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education. In total, more than 900 specialists from 8 federal districts of the Russian Federation attended the program. The model includes 5 levels of supplementary vocational training (advanced training) of specialists executing the distance psychological counseling for children, their parents and teachers. The key element of the model is examined - professional post-training support (supervisor support) after the main stage of training. Statistical data on calls to the children's helpline for the period 2010-2018 at the Center for Emergency Psychological Assistance of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education is included as well as the key categories of problems (inquiries) of child helpline users.

The article outlines the methodological framework, methods, tools and procedures for implementation of distance counseling of parents in early intervention within the competence-based approach. The approach testing was carried out during 2 years in 29 mothers of children aged 1 year and 4 months to 5,5 years with various diagnoses: “childhood autism” (n=12), “Down syndrome, unspecified” (n=3), “cerebral palsy, unspecified” (n=7), “other specified chromosome abnormalities” (n=4), “mixed specific developmental disorder” (n=1), “pervasive developmental disorder, unspecified” (n=2). Implementation of the approach, as well as its possibilities and limitations, are pointed out in the description of 2 cases.

As distance counseling and telemental health practices continue to grow, it is unclear how counselor training programs are responding to the change or how frequently supervisors and practitioners utilize distance modalities. Counseling professionals (N =103) were surveyed to examine their perceptions of distance counseling training and practice. Respondents indicated multiple roles as Counselor Educators (CE, n = 74), Counseling Supervisors (CS, n = 61), and Counseling Practitioners (CP, n = 86). The majority of CE expressed dissatisfaction with amount of distance counseling content in their training program yet felt confident to teach distance counseling and TMH concepts. Personal experience with distance supervision or distance counseling was low among CS and CP, although these groups exhibited high confidence in practicing distance supervision and distance counseling. Nearly all respondents had sought additional professional development training in distance counseling and/or TMH. The findings emphasize a need for consistency in TMH professional development training, as well as opportunities to infuse distance counseling content into student training programs and curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of E-Beratungsjournal is the property of E-beratungsjournal.net and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: In the current conditions of social isolation, imposed by COVID-19, psychological help lines have been implemented via telephone. It is of interest to know if the contribution of this counseling service is effective; and to what extent the population has assumed this as a reliable way of psychological help. Objective: to describe the experience of the telephone counseling service to people with psychological disorders associated with social isolation. Methods: a descriptive study was carried out of the telephone counseling service aimed at the population with psychological disorders, carried out by the Mella District Mental Health Center, Camagüey province, during May 2020. The reasons for the call, clinical manifestations and behavior to follow were the main variables studied. Results: the elderly population contributed the highest number of calls (40.6%), as well as the most frequent reason being the search for psychological support. Depression and anxiety were found as the main clinical manifestations; and psychological support and monitoring of this as the behaviors to follow in most cases. Conclusion: due to the impossibility of going to specialized mental health centers, due to the conditions imposed by the pandemic, telephone counseling allowed a considerable group of people to receive psychological help backed by trained professionals, in correspondence with individual needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating how counselors perceive technology as a tool for delivering counseling services is crucial to understand the usage and challenges that may have implications for training programs, policymaking, and allocation of resources. With the COVID-19 crisis and accompanying shelter-in-place and self-distancing guidelines, telemental health, including distance counseling, has become a satisfactory primary delivery system and is now expected to be part of routine counseling care. The present pre-COVID-19 study explored practicing counselors' perceptions of distance counseling regarding advantages and challenges. While noting benefits, results indicate continuing barriers to widespread telemental health use encompassing licensure, training, safety, privacy, evaluation, and regulatory policies. Also, attention is needed for therapeutic relationships and culturally alert digital interventions. In addition, counselors can take advantage of rapidly changing technologies to provide numerous innovative counseling services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents the results of quantitative and qualitative analysis of children's and parents' requests to Helpline "Kids Online". The main reasons for the helpline requests are different problems with the Internet and digital devices usage. 7236 calls and 3117 online-messages have been preceded. The dynamic of requests on main types of online-risks (communication, content, technology usage, con¬sumption, the Internet overuse) for the last five years has been presented. According to the results of this analysis the conclusions about online-risks' frequency of encounters, importance, awareness, vulnerability factors and evolution have been made.

Background: Mental illness has become a prevalent issue impacting adolescents worldwide. Many barriers, including stigma and poor health literacy, prevent this population group from accessing reliable mental health care services. Synchronous text-therapy counseling is an underused therapeutic approach in combating adolescent mental illness. Phone-based text therapy is uniquely placed to offer personalized counseling to adolescents through a familiar and engaging treatment modality., Objective: This rapid review aims to understand the clinical effectiveness, usability, and accessibility of phone-based text therapy for youth mental health., Methods: Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, PubMed, and PsycINFO were used to search for suitable literature. Five groups of keywords were used: those related to (1) "therapy," (2) "text," (3) "phone," (4) "youth," and (5) "mental health." Eligibility criteria were formed through the PICO (Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcome) framework. Studies were included if a synchronous phone-based text therapy intervention was used in an adolescent population, with an age range of 12-24 years. Only literature available in full-text, English, and a peer-reviewed journal was considered. Furthermore, a date limit of 5 years was set to reflect the recent development of digital interventions for mental health. Pertinent information from each study was tabulated, and a narrative synthesis was used to assess, describe, and organize the included studies comprehensively and concisely., Results: Of the 771 studies dual screened, 7 studies were included in this rapid review. Most of the exclusions occurred due to the use of the wrong intervention, such as asynchronous messaging. The selected studies had a low risk of bias and were suitable for the review. All interventional trials demonstrated reductions in mental health symptoms, primarily depression and anxiety. Most studies displayed high usability among participants, while data were unclear regarding accessibility., Conclusions: This review reveals the high potential of phone-based text therapy as an intervention for adolescents experiencing mental illness. We hope that this review promotes further refinement of text-based phone therapies and encourages future research on this subject matter., (©Varun Karnik, Hamish Henderson, Urooj Raza Khan, James Boyd. Originally published in the Interactive Journal of Medical Research (https://www.i-jmr.org/), 14.12.2023.)

Copyright of Acta Paulista de Enfermagem is the property of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista de Enfermagem and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Paulista de Enfermagem is the property of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista de Enfermagem and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: To examine counselors' perceptions of their formal preparation for engaging in telemental health (TMH) counseling with the intent of gaining an understanding of their lived experiences., Materials and Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with seven seasoned counselors who regularly engage in technology-mediated distance counseling., Results: The results highlighted themes within two emerging categories: the counselor and training/education. Themes related to motivation and specific counselor attributes emerged from the first category and themes of availability, inadequacy, and modality emerged from the second category., Discussion: The implications from this study suggest a lack of availability and standardization of effective training on TMH delivery., Conclusion: This study identifies areas of potential future research related to counselors' preparation experiences as well specific areas of need for TMH training in counseling graduate programs and other natural opportunities., Competing Interests: No competing financial or personal financial interests exists for any of the authors. A large portion of this article was previously submitted for the primary author's dissertation.20, (© Daniel C. Holland et al., 2023; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.)

This article reviews the existing literature on the potential advantages and drawbacks of therapy that is conducted when the clinician and client are not sitting in the same room. Specifically, forms of psychotherapy that are conducted via the telephone, e-mail, and video chat are addressed. As different researchers have reported contradictory findings on this topic, and the laws and policies that govern these types of therapy interactions are still being developed, it is suggested that clinicians use extra caution when providing treatment through these media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical social workers' use of digital and other technology to provide distance counseling services is proliferating. Increasing numbers of contemporary practitioners are using video counseling, email chat, social networking websites, text messaging, smartphone apps, avatar-based websites, self-guided web-based interventions, and other technology to provide clinical services to clients, some of whom they may never meet in person. The advent of this technology has produced a wide range of ethical challenges related to social workers' application of traditional social work ethics concepts: client informed consent; client privacy and confidentiality; boundaries and dual relationships; conflicts of interest; practitioner competence; records and documentation; and collegial relationships. The principal purpose of this article is to identify pertinent ethical and ethically-related risk-management issues that clinical social workers need to consider if they contemplate using this technology to assist people in need. The author addresses compelling ethical issues concerning (1) social workers' use of digital technology to communicate with clients in relatively new ways, and (2) whether social workers' use of digital technology alters the fundamental nature of the therapeutic relationship and clinicians' ability to provide clients with a truly therapeutic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]