Preliminary Evaluations Of Internet-based System For E-psychology Applications In Indonesia.
Preliminary Evaluations of Internet-based System for
e-Psychology Applications in Indonesia
Witriani S.1 , S. Soegijoko2
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
1
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.
In e-psychology, where remote location does not necessarily involved, it may
consist of psychological information collection, such as “history taking”, data
collection and analysis. Relatively simple PC-based system with the required
software (but without any telecommunication infrastructure) can be used for this
particular case.
1
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
The PC-based system is basically consists of a general purpose PC with a
specially developed software package installed, that depends on the intended
applications. For a specific application, such as “history taking” or preliminary
consultation, a dedicated software package could be developed. A student working
with the PC that has the installed software package could complete/answer a series
of questions (or questionnaire) at a given time. The person (or client) involved
should identified manually, before she or he is allowed to start the “e-psychology
session”.
In
this
case,
the
ps
ychological
information
consists
mostly
of
“alphanumeric texts”. Being a pre-recorded type of an e-psychology system, the
completed questionnaire will then be evaluated by a psychologist at another time.
E-mail consultations were also used at first, however the time delay sometimes
resulted in the frustration of the clients. This may cause premature terminations of
the clients. These lead to internet-based on-line text communications. In this
2
research, we use open source ni ternet 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 epsychology 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
PC/
laptop
client’s
internet
PC/ laptop
mobile phone
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
are in the age of 18-25 years old, university students or university graduates.
3
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
The system requires some improvements for future application. There were
some common problems which occurred during online chat were the delays due to
typing speed, typographic errors and misinterpretation of messages/sentences due to
lack of proper punctuations, or the use of slang. However, these could be solved and
4
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
Although only limited number of experiments has been evaluated, encouraging
results have been achieved. More people are getting more familiar with the internet;
therefore e-Psychology is an option worth considering. The positive evaluation
results suggest further improvements on the ICT-based system as well as the
application procedures. It is expected that e-Psychology could be further developed
and implemented in Indonesia, where conventional face to face method is not always
possible.
5
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.
[5] Jimmy M. Hasugian: Internal Reports on Simple ICT-based Systems for Outbreak
Management, BME ITB, June 2008.
6
e-Psychology Applications in Indonesia
Witriani S.1 , S. Soegijoko2
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
1
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.
In e-psychology, where remote location does not necessarily involved, it may
consist of psychological information collection, such as “history taking”, data
collection and analysis. Relatively simple PC-based system with the required
software (but without any telecommunication infrastructure) can be used for this
particular case.
1
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
The PC-based system is basically consists of a general purpose PC with a
specially developed software package installed, that depends on the intended
applications. For a specific application, such as “history taking” or preliminary
consultation, a dedicated software package could be developed. A student working
with the PC that has the installed software package could complete/answer a series
of questions (or questionnaire) at a given time. The person (or client) involved
should identified manually, before she or he is allowed to start the “e-psychology
session”.
In
this
case,
the
ps
ychological
information
consists
mostly
of
“alphanumeric texts”. Being a pre-recorded type of an e-psychology system, the
completed questionnaire will then be evaluated by a psychologist at another time.
E-mail consultations were also used at first, however the time delay sometimes
resulted in the frustration of the clients. This may cause premature terminations of
the clients. These lead to internet-based on-line text communications. In this
2
research, we use open source ni ternet 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 epsychology 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
PC/
laptop
client’s
internet
PC/ laptop
mobile phone
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
are in the age of 18-25 years old, university students or university graduates.
3
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
The system requires some improvements for future application. There were
some common problems which occurred during online chat were the delays due to
typing speed, typographic errors and misinterpretation of messages/sentences due to
lack of proper punctuations, or the use of slang. However, these could be solved and
4
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
Although only limited number of experiments has been evaluated, encouraging
results have been achieved. More people are getting more familiar with the internet;
therefore e-Psychology is an option worth considering. The positive evaluation
results suggest further improvements on the ICT-based system as well as the
application procedures. It is expected that e-Psychology could be further developed
and implemented in Indonesia, where conventional face to face method is not always
possible.
5
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.
[5] Jimmy M. Hasugian: Internal Reports on Simple ICT-based Systems for Outbreak
Management, BME ITB, June 2008.
6