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Telemedicine for Depression: A Systematic Review
Author(s) -
GarcíaLizana Francisca,
MuñozMayorga Ingrid
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2010.00247.x
Subject(s) - telemedicine , depression (economics) , information and communications technology , the internet , mood , medicine , videoconferencing , health care , population , face (sociological concept) , nursing , psychology , psychiatry , computer science , multimedia , sociology , political science , world wide web , social science , environmental health , law , economics , macroeconomics
PURPOSE. More than 14% of the population has a mood disorder, and more than 50% do not receive treatment. Information and communication technology (ICT) could improve health care. A systematic review was considered in order to know the programs that apply ICT in the management of depression and to assess their effectiveness. CONCLUSION. There is insufficient scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of ICT use in the management of depression. However, there is a well‐founded hypothesis that videoconference produces the same results as face‐to‐face treatment and that self‐help Internet programs could improve symptoms. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. More research is needed; nevertheless, when traditional care is not possible, telemedicine could be used.