Connect & Learn Webinar: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - The use of telehealth within behavioural health settings

Description

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the rapid uptake of telehealth services to deliver treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) concerns. However, the Telehealth field itself has been expanding since the 1960’s and is far broader than real time video or phone consultations. This webinar explores the range of telehealth services available within behavioural health settings.
Drawing on the findings of a recent study conducted at Turning Point, this webinar also considers how clients experienced telehealth during COVID-19. This research focusses on three interconnected themes: 1) the practical impacts and contexts of telehealth (e.g., privacy); 2) the clinical impacts of telehealth (e.g., the impact on the client-clinician relationship); and, 3) clients’ preferences for future telehealth. In light of these themes, we consider implications for practice and how telehealth might be improved in the future.

Objectives:
1. To explore the range of telehealth services available to AOD/MH clients
2. To understand how telehealth impacts AOD clients’ experiences of care
3. To consider ways to improve the implementation of telehealth in treatment settings

Naomi Crafti has worked in health education for over 30 years, mainly in the areas of psychology and counselling. A recent convert to TeleHealth and Online Counselling, Naomi is realistic about the strengths and limitations of working with AOD clients virtually.

Michael Savic is a Senior Research Fellow (Addiction Studies) at Monash University and the Strategic Lead of the Clinical and Social Research Team at Turning Point. His research focuses on the social and cultural aspects of alcohol and other drug use and care, and often draws on critical approaches and qualitative methods.

Tony Barnett is a Research Fellow at Turning Point. Working in the Clinical and Social Research team, and his work explores how new technologies and treatments integrate within care. His work draws on social science methods to provide in-depth accounts of consumers, carers and clinicians’ experiences of addiction treatment, care and recovery.