Skip to content
UNE Faculty Sites
University of New England - Innovation for a Healthier Planet
UNE School of Social Work Blog
  • Home
  • About
  • Students
  • Portland
  • Apply
January 22, 2021August 31, 2021 by socialwork in Aging & Ethics, Causes, Clinical, Community Projects, Curriculum, IPEC, Mental Health, Student Projects, Student Testimonials, TRIAD, What is Social Work?

MSW Student, Christine Quong ’21 on Best Practices for Interprofessional Telecollaboration

An interprofessional group of students, faculty, professional staff, and community members gathered virtually back in December for a facilitated discussion on best practices for telehealth and telecollaboration methods across regions and disciplines.

The event, “Telecollaboration: Best Practices for Teams,” sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education (CECE) at the University of New England, drew medical and mental health experts from across the region for the purposes of discussing telehealth practice and how to best incorporate its use in cross-disciplinary digital environments.

Shelley Cohen Konrad, Ph.D., LCSW, FNAP, Director of CECE and the School of Social Work, said the goal of the session was to prepare participants with the background and skills to participate in simulated and future practice using telehealth and telecollaboration methods.

“In my experience, many patients are feeling alone and isolated right now,” said Christine Quong (M.S.W., ’21), who is currently completing a geriatric psychiatry internship. “I think being available through telehealth provides more access for patients and allows them to partake on their end, especially since many older adults have fears of leaving their homes. This gives them a way to feel safe.”

More on Christine:

Christine is will graduate with her MSW in 2021 along with a Certificate in Training in Aging and Diversity (TRIAD). Students receive a $10,000 stipend as part of the TRIAD Certificate (open to ON-CAMPUS students only). ⁠ The certificate was developed out of grant funding and is a training-in-place program for graduate-level clinical social work students, designed and led by UNE’s School of Social Work. TRIAD will reach people of all ages, but its primary population focus is Maine’s older adults. The primary objective is to increase knowledge about the behavioral health needs of diverse older adults throughout Maine and creating new solutions to meeting these needs.

VISIT THIS ARCHIVE TO HEAR TRIAD STORIES!

Christine did her foundation year field placement at the State of Maine Department of Labor’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services and is doing her specialization year placement at a TRIAD’s clinically approved site: Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic at Maine Medical Center.

A brief interview with Christine:

Why did you choose Social Work?

I chose social work because I think it is important to be able to provide resources to and advocate for underprivileged groups. There is a lot of work to do to address the systemic marginalization of vulnerable populations and to combat the stigma they experience.

What have been your favorite/most inspiring aspects of the program?

I’ve been most inspired by the individual work I’ve been able to do through my field placements. I have been able to practice the theories I’ve learned in classes to help make an impact on peoples’ lives.  

How are you using Telehealth now?

I use Telehealth regularly for my one on one therapy sessions over zoom.

What are the benefits you see?

Telehealth creates accessibility to individuals in rural areas. Especially during the pandemic, it can provide flexibility in accessing the care they need.

Do you see yourself using this in the future?

Yes, I absolutely see this as an option in the future, especially for rural and geriatric populations. If anything, the pandemic has taught us how accessible, effective, and safe telehealth can be.

What are the drawbacks (if any)?

It has the potential to be impersonal/dehumanizing. I think it also makes it easier for individuals to cancel telehealth sessions, and the technology can be difficult for some who are not tech-savvy 

What do you want to do when you graduate?

I’d like to continue my education. I feel I have only begun to scratch the surface. This program has taught me just how little I know and how much more is out there to learn!

What advice would you give to incoming students?

Get as much as you can out of each class and your field placements as possible. The program goes by much more quickly than you think. Diversify your experiences and gain as much knowledge as you can, but realize that the real experience comes from fieldwork!

VISIT ARCHIVED POST WHY UNE? TO HEAR MORE ABOUT WHY CHRISTINE CHOSE UNE’S PROGRAM

CECE, Clinical Social Work, Interprofessional Education, MSW, MSW Programs Maine, MSW Programs New England, social work vs. psychology, Student life, Student Reflections, Telehealth, Teletherapy, Therapy, UNE, UNE MSW, UNE MSW Program, UNE MSW Students, UNE Social Work, University of New England, University Of New England Social Work

Recent Posts

  • MSW Faculty Spotlights: Nancy Shore, PhD, MSW, MPH
  • MSW Faculty Spotlights: Craig Owens MSW, LCSW
  • MSW Alumni Spotlight: Graham Botto ’22
  • MSW Alumni Spotlight: John Kidney ’22
  • MSWO Alumni Spotlight: Nicole Petrin ’19

Contact us

Have questions?

About Social Workers

UNE’s Integrated Clinical Practice Specialization  prepares you with the advanced clinical skills necessary to practice in a variety of clinical settings and a comprehensive understanding of human potential for individual and collective growth.  Our unique certificate options in Trauma-informed Social Work Practice, Applied Arts and Social Justice (AASJ), and Training in Aging and Diversity (TRIAD)*) alongside field placements, interprofessional learning opportunities, independent studies, and research grants allow you to integrate your individual passions into your educational programming. The nation needs more social workers as we continue to develop our understanding of mental health and advance the rights of the most vulnerable in our society.  Join us today!

Categories

  • AASJ
  • Aging & Ethics
  • Alumni
  • BSW Program
  • Causes
  • Clinical
  • Community Projects
  • Covid19
  • Curriculum
  • Faculty Research, Projects, and Presentations
  • Faculty Spotlight
  • Interprofessional Education
  • IPEC
  • LGBTQ+
  • Macro
  • Mental Health
  • MSW Online
  • MSWO
  • Multicultural Education
  • Racism
  • Research
  • Social Work Jobs
  • Staff
  • Student life
  • Student Projects
  • Student Testimonials
  • Student Travel
  • Substance Use Disorder
  • Therapy
  • Trauma
  • TRIAD
  • Uncategorized
  • Veteran
  • What is Social Work?
  • WHY UNE?

Attend an info session!

Attend one of our info sessions listed HERE

or contact Meg Webster at mwebster4@une.edu to schedule a Zoom

Share

UNE School of Social Work Blog

Hersey Hall
716 Stevens Ave
Portland, ME 04103

2072214508

  • Facebook-f
  • Instagram