Child and Adolescent Asynchronous Technology Competencies for Clinical Care and Training: Scoping Review

Objective: Asynchronous technologies such as mobile health, e-mail, e-consult, and social media are being added to in-person and synchronous service delivery. To ensure quality care, clinicians need skills, knowledge, and attitudes related to technology that can be measured. This study sought out competencies for asynchronous technologies and/or an approach to define them. Methods: This 6-stage scoping review of Pubmed/Medline, APA PsycNET, PsycINFO and other databases was based on a broad research question, 'What skills are needed for clinicians and trainees to provide quality care using asynchronous technologies for children and adolescents, and how can they be made measurable to implement, teach and evaluate?' The search focused on key words in 4 concept areas: (a) competencies; (b) asynchronous technology; (c) synchronous telepsychiatry, telebehavioral or telemental health; and (d) clinical. The screeners reviewed the full-text articles based on inclusion (mesh of the key words) and exclusion criteria. Results: From a total of 5,877 potential references, 2 authors found 509 eligible for full text review and found 110 articles directly relevant to the concepts. Clinical studies discuss clinical, technical and administrative workflow rather than competencies, though behavioral health professions' position statements advise on adapting care and training. Existing technology competencies for video, social media, mobile health, and other asynchronous technologies were used to build a framework. Training, faculty development, and organizational suggestions are suggested. Conclusions: Research is needed on how to implement and evaluate asynchronous competencies to ensure quality clinical care and training, which is a paradigm shift for participants. Public Significance Statement Newer technologies such as mobile phones, iPads, social media and apps add opportunities for life, and these and others may facilitate self-care, promote health and communication with providers. To ensure quality care, clinicians need measurable skills, knowledge and attitudes to use these technologies, and they have to adjust clinical, technical and administrative workflow. A competency framework was built for training, faculty development and organizational change, and research is needed on how to implement and evaluate the impact on health care. Keywords: competency, technology, asynchronous, health, behavioral
Behavioral health (BH) problems among children and adolescents are common, with at least one in five suffering from a disorder and others at risk (Patel, Flisher, Hetrick, & McGorry, 2007). [...]