Telepsychology  (adopted August 2004)

Definition:

For the purposes of this policy, the practice of psychology across State borders, or telepsychology, is defined to include the provision of any psychological service that occurs when the patient is physically located within South Australia and the psychologist is physically located outside South Australia.

Any contact that results in a verbal, written or otherwise documented psychological opinion that affects the diagnosis or treatment of a patient, constitutes the provision of psychological services. This holds whether the psychologist and patient are connected via telephone, television, the internet or any other electronic means.

Policy:

The South Australian Psychological Board is of the opinion that when a psychological service occurs as described in the Definition above, then the psychological service is deemed to have occurred in South Australia. As such, the psychologist providing the service would need to be registered in South Australia.

The registration of psychologists engaging in telepsychology would provide the patient with an avenue of complaint should concerns about the consultation and subsequent treatment arise. This would also ensure that the practitioner is subject to the disciplinary provisions under the Act, regardless of their physical location.

In such a way, the Board can ensure that the patient receives the same standard of care that presently occurs in South Australia.

Any patient records maintained by the psychologist as a result of telepsychology consultations remain subject to the maintenance requirements in South Australia.