Web-Based Depression Screening and Psychiatric Consultation for College Students: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Background. A steady rise in the prevalence of depression among college students has negatively affected student quality of life. This study investigates the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based model, including Skype, to screen and provide psychiatric consultation to depressed college stude...

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Main Authors: Aya Williams, Rachel LaRocca, Trina Chang, Nhi-Ha Trinh, Maurizio Fava, Joseph Kvedar, Albert Yeung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/580786
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author Aya Williams
Rachel LaRocca
Trina Chang
Nhi-Ha Trinh
Maurizio Fava
Joseph Kvedar
Albert Yeung
author_facet Aya Williams
Rachel LaRocca
Trina Chang
Nhi-Ha Trinh
Maurizio Fava
Joseph Kvedar
Albert Yeung
author_sort Aya Williams
collection DOAJ
description Background. A steady rise in the prevalence of depression among college students has negatively affected student quality of life. This study investigates the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based model, including Skype, to screen and provide psychiatric consultation to depressed college students. Methods. Students completed the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) online; those who screened positive (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) or endorsed any level of suicidal ideation were offered Web-based psychiatric consultation using Skype. After the consultation, students filled out a 7-item satisfaction questionnaire to report on the acceptability of this Web-based method. Results. A total of 972 students consented to the online depression screening and 285 screened positive. Of those, 69 students consented and 17 students successfully completed the psychiatric consultation via Skype. Thirteen (76.4%) students found the interview useful in helping them understand their depression. Fifteen (88.2%) students thought that psychologists and psychiatrists could successfully see patients via videoconferencing. Conclusions. Current online technologies can provide depression screening and psychiatric consultation to college students; those who participated reported a positive experience. Future studies will need to address the low levels of participation among college students and attract students who are underserved, as well as use a videoconferencing platform that adequately protects data confidentiality.
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spelling doaj-art-5c8fefe293d34c239a0400a411b409842025-08-20T02:05:44ZengWileyInternational Journal of Telemedicine and Applications1687-64151687-64232014-01-01201410.1155/2014/580786580786Web-Based Depression Screening and Psychiatric Consultation for College Students: A Feasibility and Acceptability StudyAya Williams0Rachel LaRocca1Trina Chang2Nhi-Ha Trinh3Maurizio Fava4Joseph Kvedar5Albert Yeung6Massachusetts General Hospital Depression Clinical and Research Program, One Bowdoin Square 6th floor, Boston, MA 02114, USAMassachusetts General Hospital Depression Clinical and Research Program, One Bowdoin Square 6th floor, Boston, MA 02114, USAMassachusetts General Hospital Depression Clinical and Research Program, One Bowdoin Square 6th floor, Boston, MA 02114, USAMassachusetts General Hospital Depression Clinical and Research Program, One Bowdoin Square 6th floor, Boston, MA 02114, USAMassachusetts General Hospital Depression Clinical and Research Program, One Bowdoin Square 6th floor, Boston, MA 02114, USAMassachusetts General Hospital Center for Connected Health, 25 New Chardon Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114, USAMassachusetts General Hospital Depression Clinical and Research Program, One Bowdoin Square 6th floor, Boston, MA 02114, USABackground. A steady rise in the prevalence of depression among college students has negatively affected student quality of life. This study investigates the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based model, including Skype, to screen and provide psychiatric consultation to depressed college students. Methods. Students completed the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) online; those who screened positive (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) or endorsed any level of suicidal ideation were offered Web-based psychiatric consultation using Skype. After the consultation, students filled out a 7-item satisfaction questionnaire to report on the acceptability of this Web-based method. Results. A total of 972 students consented to the online depression screening and 285 screened positive. Of those, 69 students consented and 17 students successfully completed the psychiatric consultation via Skype. Thirteen (76.4%) students found the interview useful in helping them understand their depression. Fifteen (88.2%) students thought that psychologists and psychiatrists could successfully see patients via videoconferencing. Conclusions. Current online technologies can provide depression screening and psychiatric consultation to college students; those who participated reported a positive experience. Future studies will need to address the low levels of participation among college students and attract students who are underserved, as well as use a videoconferencing platform that adequately protects data confidentiality.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/580786
spellingShingle Aya Williams
Rachel LaRocca
Trina Chang
Nhi-Ha Trinh
Maurizio Fava
Joseph Kvedar
Albert Yeung
Web-Based Depression Screening and Psychiatric Consultation for College Students: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications
title Web-Based Depression Screening and Psychiatric Consultation for College Students: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
title_full Web-Based Depression Screening and Psychiatric Consultation for College Students: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
title_fullStr Web-Based Depression Screening and Psychiatric Consultation for College Students: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
title_full_unstemmed Web-Based Depression Screening and Psychiatric Consultation for College Students: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
title_short Web-Based Depression Screening and Psychiatric Consultation for College Students: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
title_sort web based depression screening and psychiatric consultation for college students a feasibility and acceptability study
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/580786
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