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The evolution and effectiveness of telephone counseling services
Hospital & Community Psychiatry
|July 1, 1986
Summary
Evidence for telephone counseling effectiveness is limited, especially for behavior change and suicide prevention. However, it shows promise for monitoring and supporting individuals with chronic conditions.
Area of Science:
- Mental Health Services Research
- Telecommunications in Healthcare
- Behavioral Health Interventions
Background:
- Telephone counseling has expanded significantly over 30 years, with a widely held belief in its benefits.
- Empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of telephone counseling remains limited due to research challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on the effectiveness of telephone counseling.
- To identify the roles and limitations of telephone counseling in mental health and suicide prevention.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of contract telephone counseling for chronic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing studies on telephone counseling.
- Analysis of research addressing methodological and practical difficulties in telephone counseling research.
Main Results:
- Telephone counselors effectively provide listening, information, and referral services.
- Insufficient evidence exists regarding telephone counseling's impact on caller behavior change or suicide rates.
- Contract telephone counseling shows potential for monitoring and supporting clients with ongoing health issues.
Conclusions:
- While telephone counseling offers valuable support roles, its efficacy in behavior change and suicide reduction requires further investigation.
- Contract telephone counseling presents a promising avenue for long-term client support in chronic care settings.