| Technology has changed the way many operate within their profession. Psychologists have used technology for decades but often with caution. Due to the private nature of clinical practice, confidentiality and following ethical guidelines are imperative. As technology continues to rapidly alter the way people interact, the field of psychology is faced with many new ways to practice, teach, advertise, and supervise. This study explored the ways professionals view the use of technology in the psychological profession particularly in its relationship to risk and benefit to patient care. Professional and student members of the American Psychological Association were surveyed to explore their beliefs of risks and benefit to best patient care using advanced technologies. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview asking for input on a vignette of a fictitious psychologist who uses advanced technology such as internet therapy, video chat therapy via Skype, or other emerging technologies.;Participants were more likely to consider using Smartphone technology than Second Life technology. Across all technologies assessed within this study, qualitative data analysis revealed increased access to psychological services and cost savings as the major benefits to using technology. The major concerns were ethical in nature, especially in regard to confidentiality and boundary concerns. Increased privacy, increased feelings of support, reduction of stigma, efficiency, and improved work quality were identified as possible benefits of technology while loss of intimacy and rapport, inadvertent promotion of pathology, safety concerns, loss of privacy, and technology failures were identified as risks. Implications for future research, clinical work, and professional regulation are offered. |
