Delivering evidence-based practices via telepsychology: Illustrative case series from military treatment facilities.

Abstract

Telepsychology is a relatively well-established method for delivering care to underresourced environments. Much research has been done demonstrating the acceptability and effectiveness of telepsychology. Also, it has been shown that evidence-based psychotherapies and pharmacological therapies can be delivered effectively through telepsychology; however, there is a lack of information on how to best adapt the research-supported protocols to be delivered via telepsychology. A recent survey of telepsychology experts demonstrated the need for guidance on how to adapt these practices for telepsychology with a specific focus on three domains: use of self-report questionnaires, treatment handouts, and in-session examples (Gros et al., 2013). The presented case series demonstrates feasible solutions to address these domains of treatment such as using screen-sharing technology, incorporating other technology-based resources such as smart-phone applications, and using web-based methods to securely administer outcome tracking measures. Further research and innovation on the topic is needed. Public Significance StatementThis paper illustrates how to modify existing research-supported treatment protocols for use with video-teleconferencing based telepsychology. This helps ensure that people in remote areas or areas with provider shortages can have access to quality mental health care.

Telepsicología para psicoterapeutas: lecciones aprendidas en tiempos del Covid-19

“…La telepsicología presenta diversas denominaciones (e.g., teleterapia, telesaludmental, telepsicoterapia o telepsiquiatría) y es definida como la prestación de servicios de salud mental que utiliza como medio la tecnología a distancia y que puede llevarse a cabo de manera sincrónica (en tiempo real) o asincrónica (diferida) (Burgoyne & Cohn, 2020;Waltman et al, 2020). Esta práctica ofrece un mecanismo para realizar intervenciones clínicas superando las barreras impuestas por la pandemia, ya sea, por el cierre de los centros de atención, públicos y/o privados, o el distanciamiento físico (DeLuca et al, 2020).…”

“…Por otra parte, la evidencia señala que la telepsicología puede entregar resultados clínicos comparables a la práctica tradicional en la reducción de síntomas para trastornos alimenticios, obsesivo-compulsivos, de ansiedad social, estrés postraumático, crisis de pánico y depresión mayor (Di Carlo et al, 2020;Van Daele et al, 2020;Waltman et al, 2020;Watts et al, 2020).…”

Military Behavioral Health Staff Perspectives on Telehealth Following the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Finally, providers will need training in the mechanics of delivering evidence-based treatment using video telehealth, particularly psychotherapy. A survey of telebehavioral health experts indicated a need for guidance in adapting evidence-based practices to a telehealth setting, and there have been several telehealth case studies of solutions for delivering evidence-based BH care to active-duty service members at MTFs (Waltman et al, 2020). Successful adaptations included using screen-sharing technology, incorporating other technology-based resources (such as mobile applications), and using web-based methods to securely administer outcome tracking measures.…”

The COVID-19 pandemic and treating suicidal risk: The telepsychotherapy use of CAMS.

“…The CAMS protocol for telepsychotherapy was first developed for use with suicidal active-duty U.S. Army Soldiers. For example, mental health providers at the Warrior Resiliency Program located in San Antonio, Texas, have successfully used CAMS within a telepsychotherapy modality for several years (Waltman, Landry, Pujol, & Moore, 2019). These experienced telepsychotherapy providers use the modality to provide a range of evidence-based treatments for various mental health issues (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder and insomnia), and they have effectively mastered the provision of CAMS using telepsychotherapy with suicidal Soldiers serving in remote locations across the United States.…”