Abstract
The globalization of the oil and gas industry has resulted in an increased number of expatriates and families, relocating in geographically and culturally unfamiliar and sometimes unsettling environments. The acculturation process and changes in living conditions may result in maladjustment, possibly causing a loss in self-esteem, stress and anxiety, often engendering difficulties in professional relationships, lack of performance at work, or worse still, premature returns.
Premature returns have been extensively studied because of their potential impact on the individual and the organization, with varying conclusions with regards to their causes. Indeed, external risks factors related to expatriation are numerous: the geographic distance that jeopardize familiar supports; the exposure to new sets of rules, customs and beliefs; the increased responsibilities and workload, and the family's feelings towards relocation to name a few. Accordingly, significant mental and social resources are heavily mobilized in the coping strategies used to manage the stress of relocation.
This paper argues that risks associated with expatriation cannot be fully addressed through the common preventive measures such as cross-cultural training or spouse involvement in the expatriation process.
Residual but critical risks remain, that have to be mitigated through specific plans, such as responses to incidents of psychological distress or even psychiatric decompensation. Telepsychology and telepsychiatry, either through tele-consultation and tele-expertise, can be used to address such problems in a timely manner, providing remote access to specialists able to interact with the patient in his own language.
A dedicated platform has been deployed worldwide for this purpose, the configurations of which are variable depending on cases and situations. The platform provides a videoconferencing system, secured nominative health data and time zone management for appointments. Consultations are provided through the platform by a multilingual and multicultural team of psychiatrists and psychologists with expatriation expertise.
Three case studies where the platform has been used are presented herein, in order to describe the situation, the set-up, the treatment protocol, and the results obtained.
Lastly, the benefits and limits of this patient care technique are discussed, in view of the most recent research on telemedicine and topics for further investigation are suggested.
