Technology in families and the clinical encounter: results of a cross-national survey.

Information communication technologies ( ICT) are an integral part of contemporary family life, though the existing research about its impact is scarce, less than definitive, and individually based, as well as failing to attend to cross-cultural and cross-national dimensions. This study investigates how family clinicians construe the impact of ICT in the clinical context. A survey directed at family clinicians ( N = 258) in four countries ( Canada, Mexico, Spain and the USA) was designed to gather data on their beliefs about the impact of the emerging ICT on families and on their own clinical practice. The study found differences in the use of ICT across countries and correlation analyses showed there were more positive attitudes about the impact of emerging ICT on family dynamics among the clinicians whose use them the most. Practitioner points A constructive attitude towards emerging technology may enhance the effective use of technology in family therapy., The use of technology for personal and professional purposes by therapists may elicit appreciative conversations with families about its impact on family processes., Emerging digital technologies may enable clinicians to involve family members in virtual exercises and participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]