摘要：The aim of this study is to explore the advantages and limitations of using a web-cam service to access a specialist service for children who stammer (CWS) and what influences a parent's decision to use this medium. Information gathered will be used to inform the development of a web-cam service to increase access to specialist assessment and therapy services for CWS. There is evidence in the medical literature that tele-health facilities can be a viable option as a medium for delivering healthcare to families who are geographically distant from the source of provision (Karp et al., 2000). Those accessing services using web-cam services have indicated that they considered the reduced financial costs to be beneficial (Hughes et al., 2012), that the experience was acceptable and one that they would use it in future (Karp et al., 2000, Hughes et al., 2012; Kully, 2000). Research into using tele-health facilities with adults who stammer indicates no significant differences in therapy outcomes whether delivered face to face or via web-cam (Kully, 2000; O’Brian, Packman & Onslow, 2008). A reduction in stammering behaviour was reported in a case study of 3 adolescents accessing therapy via webcam (Carey, O’Brian, Onslow, Packman & Menzies, 2012) and Lewis, Packman, Onslow, Simpson & Jones, 2008 found a reduction in stammering when delivering the Lidcombe Program using the telephone. There have been no published studies, however, that give an insight into the delivery of speech and language therapy to children who stammer using a web-cam. All families who were due to attend the Michael Palin Centre for an assessment or review appointment were offered the option of having the session conducted via Skype. Twelve mothers have been recruited, six of whom chose to use Skype and six chose face-to-face contact. Semi-structured qualitative interviews are being conducted. These are being orthographically transcribed and analyzed using NVIVO and themes identified. The study is still in progress and full analysis is not yet complete. The following themes are emerging as influencing the choice of medium:•mothers attitude to technology,•child being more at ease at home,•mother's opinion that face to face contact in required to build a therapeutic relationship,•practical considerations such as distance from the centre and time off work.Emerging themes will inform clinicians about the strengths and limitations of working with families using tele-health technology and will help to refine these services and protocols so that they can be most successfully employed. It will also contribute to a clinician's informed decision making process about whether such services might be efficacious and cost effective for their own clients. The findings of this study will inform the development of a larger scale project about the use of tele-health as a viable medium for therapy and implications to service delivery will be discussed.
