Preliminary Evaluations of Internet-based System for
e-Psychology Applications in Indonesia
Witriani S.1 , S. Soegijoko2
1
University of Padjadjaran, Faculty of Psychology, [email protected] Jalan Bandung Sumedang Km 21 Sumedang 45363, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
2
Institut Teknologi Bandung, School of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Biomedical Engineering, [email protected]
Jalan Ganesha 10 Bandung 40132, Jawa Barat, Indonesia
Abstract: This paper describes the development and preliminary evaluations of different types of PC-based systems for e-psychology applications in Indonesia. Among e-psychology applications are preliminary psychology consultations, general consultations, educational related consultations, and distance consultations in psychology.
Introduction
e-Psychology (also called Cyber-Psychology, e-Psychology, Tele-Psychology, Virtual Psychology) is a relatively new area that applies electronics, computer, information, and telecommunication technology (which is usually known as ICT, Information and Communication Technology), for the psychological information exchange (in the form of alphanumeric text, audio, static and/or dynamic images), for the purpose of information collection, consultation, analysis, diagnosis and/or treatment purposes in psychology.
E-Psychology can also be considered as an alternative of the existing telephone counseling. In simple terms, counseling by telephone may be defined as a service whereby a trained counselor works with a client, or a group of clients, by telephone, to enable the client(s) to explore personal situations, problems or crises in a one-off or in an on-going longer term therapeutic relationship [1]. In general tele-psychology, where remote distance is involved, a more complex tele-health system will be required to provide the psychological information exchange between at least two different PC-based systems through a telecommunication infrastructure.
Stand Alone PC-based System
research, we use open source internet software, which are facebook© chat and Yahoo! ® messenger.
System Configuration
A simple e-Psychology internet-based system (Fig.1) is basically composed of a number of “PC-based e-psychology stations” inter-connected through the internet. Each e-psychology station consists of a PC with the required general purpose software packages, an internet telecommunication interface (such as ADSL modem, dial-up modem, GSM modem, GPRS), a head-set and a webcam. Since the e-psychology is relatively new in Indonesia, only limited applications have been examined using mobile phone, pre-recorded text communications (e-mail, e-mail and attached files), on-line text communications (chat sessions) and on-line audio visual communications (using audio, or audio and images).
psychologist’s client’s
Fig. 1 Block diagram of the e-Psychology internet-based system Basic Application Examples and Experimental Results
Four e-psychology remote consultations will be highlighted in this experiment: one was using facebook© chat, and three others were using Yahoo!® messenger. Among those, one was using a PC and dial-up modem, two were using laptops (both were using GSM modem connections), one was using cell phone GPRS. The clients
mobile phone
internet PC/ laptop
The consultations were initiated by the clients according to the accessible media at the time being. Three were consulting on personal problems, and the other one was on an academic problem.
The general phases in each session were the problem statement phase with lots of inquiry and probing, discussion for solution phase, and closing/termination phase. In all cases, we found that the tensions were reduced after the clients stated their feelings related to their own problems. One even ended the session before getting a solution, as the client said that she was already felt relieved, and this was what she wanted.
One important thing to consider is that all four clients are acquainted with the counselor. Trust has been built, as well as the rapport between the counselor and the clients. This condition was beneficial for the counseling process. Different process may happen in anonymous consultations. Another thing we should note is that as they are university students, they are familiar with computers, internet, and they have the necessary typing skills. This could be a problem for other people; however it can be eliminated by using head-sets and web cameras.
Evaluation
anticipated by doing some adequate inquiry, probing, and perception checking from time to time. An advantage that was discovered from the online chat sessions was the possibility to post links via facebook© chat and Yahoo!® messenger. This could provide the client with references, other than just information from the counselor. Another advantage from the use of certain version of Yahoo!® messenger is that it provides emoticon which sometimes useful for the clients to express their emotions. Head-sets and web cameras have not been used much, due to the internet connections speed and quality. Usually clients prefer telephone lines or mobile phones if they need to speak, however this is rather expensive. Internet was more economical, therefore clients prefer chatting.
Conclusion
Acknowledgment
The authors thank the Telemedicine Research Group of the Biomedical Engineering Research Division, ITB, for providing the necessary ICT- based systems for tele-Psychology and e-Psychology applications. The staff members and students of the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Padjadjaran have provided full supports to most experiments, for which the authors appreciate very much.
References
[1] M. Rosenfield, Counselling by Telephone, Sage Publications, 1997.
[2] R. Wootton, J. Craig, and V. Patterson, “Introduction to Telemedicine”, Royal Society of Medicine Press, 2006.
[3] International Telecommunication Union (ITU – D Study Groups), Making Better Access to Healthcare Services, NICT – Kyodo Bunkasha Co. Ltd., 2005, pp.31-32.
[4] Ediana Suthiredjeki: Internal Reports on Mobile Telemedicine System, BME-ITB, June 2008.
