A comparison of communication modes in adult psychiatry.

The process and outcome of clinical tasks in an acute psychiatric unit were compared using four different communication modes: face to face, telephone, hands-free telephone, and a low-cost videoconferencing system. Six doctors and six patients took part in the study. Four assessment measures were used. The videoconferencing system was positively received by both patients and doctors. Both doctors and patients preferred communication modes with visual cues. However, there were few significant differences between communication modes when using single measures; only multiple levels of analysis can adequately assess the differences between such modes of communication.