The feasibility of videoconferencing for neuropsychological assessments of rural youth experiencing early psychosis.

We conducted a pilot study of the feasibility of videoconferencing as a mode of neuropsychological assessment in young people (14-30 years) from a rural area of New South Wales experiencing early psychosis. All participants (n = 11) completed assessments both face-to-face and by videoconference at a bandwidth of 384 kbit/s. Assessments included confirmation of diagnosis, quality of life and neurocognitive functioning. There was a strong correlation between modes of assessment for most instruments. Bland-Altman plots indicated that in general the mean difference between face-to-face and videoconference modes of assessment was close to zero with significant bias only evident for general cognitive functioning (WTAR), where videoconferencing produced higher ratings than face-to-face assessments. Feedback from the participants indicated strong acceptability of assessment by videoconferencing, thus supporting further investigation of use of this mode of assessment for clinical and research purposes.