Mental Health Care Providers’ Attitudes Toward Telepsychiatry: A Systemwide, Multisite Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a rapid transition to telepsychiatry. This study examined the experience and attitudes of mental health care providers toward telehealth.Methods: At 18 centers across the United States, 819 mental health care providers completed an electronic survey about telepsychiatry use and satisfaction.Results: Overall, 73% of providers using videoconferencing and 66% using the telephone rated their experience as excellent or good. Flexible scheduling or rescheduling (77%) and timely start (69%) were frequently reported advantages for both modalities. Challenges were related to patients' inability to use conferencing devices (52%), lack of sense of closeness or connection (46%), and technical problems (39%). After the pandemic resolves, 64% of respondents would want to continue using telepsychiatry in at least 25% of their caseload. PS in Advanceps.psychiatryonline.org 3addressed if global implementation of telepsychiatry is to succeed. CONCLUSIONSMental health care providers generally had a positive attitude toward telehealth, and many stated that they would like to continue using it with a significant proportion of patients. Timely starts of therapy appointments and a reduction or elimination of no-shows were commonly reported advantages of telepsychiatry. Concerns about proper access to technology and training for both providers and patients need to be addressed.

The Impact of Wearing a Face Mask on the Psychiatric Interview: a National Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Social isolation, mental health, and use of digital interventions in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationally representative survey

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Digital Mental Health Care in Humanitarian & Crisis Settings: A Mixed-Methods Exploration During The COVID-19 Pandemic

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