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From: Kevin Eldridge
Date: 14 Oct 2011
Time: 15:19:18 -0500
Remote Name: 184.48.165.86
Maria, You have hit on two of the big problems that we need to deal with if we want to use teletherapy. First lets talk about bandwidth. Before we will sign up anyone for the program, we do a test call. And not just a brief call to see if we can connect. Before someone arrives, we need to gather some diagnostic information. This provides an opportunity to see if the family has sufficient bandwidth to maintain a connection for 30-60 minutes without too many problems. If someone has sufficient bandwidth in their community but they do not have their own internet it might be possible to bring a laptop to a local library. The library in my home town, offers secure internet and has study rooms which would allow a private location to discuss therapy. So that is another option for a child. In some communities we may need to think of other options. If sufficient bandwidth is not available, we would not be able to see the family. As for the eye contact. I'm not sure how to deal with this. It is an issue. As the clinician, I try to look at the camera, but it is not natural at all. My tendency is to look at the person on my screen (as you point out). Until Apple figures out how install a camera on the screen (that you can move around to fit someone's face) we will have to deal with it. I say Apple... because they always figure things out first for Microsoft to use :)