Editorial: Section on Innovations in Technology in Measurement, Assessment, and Intervention

Technology is critical to the work of child health psychologists, impacting the methods available to measure behaviors, assess outcomes, and deliver interventions. In particular, the use of electronic and information technology, including the Internet, personal and hand held computers, cell phones, CD-ROMs, virtual reality, video conferencing, among other forms of technology, have solidified an important place in the provision of medical care. Within the realm of pediatric psychology, information and communication technologies have been used in the provision of pediatric psychology interventions to children, adolescents, and their families (Hicks, von Baeyer, & McGrath, 2006; Ritterband et al., 2003; Williamson et al., 2006). Moreover, pediatric psychologists use technology to reach broader populations of children and families allowing research participation via web surveys and computer assisted telephone interviews. Unique aspects of the technology impact the manner in which data are collected, interpreted, and analyzed. Real time visibility in data collection and compliance enhancing functions of computerized devices affords additional opportunities for understanding complex health behaviors. Innovative devices can be used to provide objective measures of a variety of health-related behaviors such as adherence-related behaviors, activity level, and sleep. The section on Innovations in Technology in Measurement, Assessment, and Intervention will focus on the science related to technologies used in pediatric psychology research and practice. As new technologies emerge and are adopted, as a field, we will need ongoing information to not only enable understanding of the functions and applicability of the technology, but also to critically consider issues pertinent to the science of the technology. This section is intended to highlight specific innovative technologies, demonstrate their applicability to pediatric psychology research and practice, and consider specialized issues such as acceptability, confidentiality and security, and human subjects concerns. The section will include manuscripts that describe the clinical effectiveness of technologies in practice settings; and that present data concerning economic costs versus benefits of the application of technologies in research and practice. Human subjects and ethical concerns, including IRB-related issues, and solutions related to the use of new technologies in different practice settings will be featured. A separate but related topic that will be highlighted is the influence of information and communication technologies on children’s health and functioning such as their physical activity levels, mental health outcomes, and somatic symptoms. The section on Innovations in Technology seeks manuscripts on a wide variety of topics within the content area of information and communication technologies. These include, but are not limited to, empirical research pertaining to the use of technologies for assessment, treatment, or education; review papers that advance theoretical and empirical perspectives; and brief ‘‘how to’’ papers and author letters that describe pertinent issues in the implementation of various technologies. Commentaries will be used to advance discussion of research and clinical implications. This section will be ongoing and will also feature special issues. For example, the first special issue relevant to this section will be on eHealth in pediatric psychology (to be co-edited with Lee Ritterband, PhD).