Background. A steady rise in the prevalence of depression among college students has negatively affected student quality of\nlife. This study investigates the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based model, including Skype, to screen and provide\npsychiatric consultation to depressed college students. Methods. Students completed the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire\n(PHQ-9) online; those who screened positive (PHQ-9 = 10) or endorsed any level of suicidal ideation were offered Web-based\npsychiatric consultation using Skype. After the consultation, students filled out a 7-item satisfaction questionnaire to report on\nthe acceptability of this Web-based method. Results. A total of 972 students consented to the online depression screening and\n285 screened positive. Of those, 69 students consented and 17 students successfully completed the psychiatric consultation via\nSkype. Thirteen (76.4%) students found the interview useful in helping them understand their depression. Fifteen (88.2%) students\nthought that psychologists and psychiatrists could successfully see patients via videoconferencing. Conclusions. Current online\ntechnologies can provide depression screening and psychiatric consultation to college students; those who participated reported a\npositive experience. Future studies will need to address the low levels of participation among college students and attract students\nwho are underserved, as well as use a videoconferencing platform that adequately protects data confidentiality
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