Perspectives of Young Adults on Receiving Telepsychiatry Services in an Urban Early Intervention Program for First-Episode Psychosis: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Survey Study

Abstract

Background: Limited knowledge exists on telepsychiatry in specialized services for firstepisode psychosis (FEP), despite its potential for improving service access and engagement.Objective: To explore access and use of technology, obstacles to attending clinic appointments, and perspectives of young adults with FEP on using telepsychiatry as part of outpatient services. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey study was conducted between July and October 2017 with young adults between the ages of 18 and 38 recruited from a specialized program for FEP in an urban Canadian setting. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.Results: Among 51 participants (mean age = 26.1, SD = 4.2; 59% male; 20% experiencing housing instability), more than half (59%, n = 30) rarely or never used mainstream video chat (e.g., Facetime). The majority (78%, n = 40) reported obstacles to attending appointments, with several (37%, n = 19) identifying two or more. Almost half (49%, n = 25) were very favorable towards telepsychiatry and a quarter (25%, n = 13) were somewhat favorable. Participants expressed several concerns about telepsychiatry, including loss of human contact and confidentiality.Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is a first study on the perspectives of individuals with FEP about telepsychiatry. Despite experiencing obstacles to attending appointments and expressing receptivity towards telepsychiatry, participants did not have access to these services. It is important to provide education to clinicians on the potential of

Youth mental health in the time of COVID-19

“…Whilst digital interfaces in mental health can be effective, clinician resistance is cited as hindering widespread uptake (Wind et al 2020). Telepsychiatry is broadly acceptable to a large majority of young people with severe mental disorders such as psychosis, with some caveats around potentially increased dropout from treatment (Lal et al 2020). Digital platform development is specifically important for youth as young people are digital natives who look online first for information related to their mental health.…”

Group teletherapy for first‐episode psychosis: Piloting its integration with coordinated specialty care during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…In the early phase of psychosis, people struggle with access to, and engagement with, services due to the stigmatization of mental health issues, and they often lack knowledge of how to get help. Digital approaches provide a destigmatizing and empowering means of providing care, and individuals with FEP report interest in receiving mental health services via mobile devices or computers (Bucci et al ., 2018; Lal et al ., 2020).…”

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“…Research in this area, albeit minimal, is largely positive in terms of patient outcomes and cost. [16][17][18] Our current experience has highlighted some circumstances in which remote consultation may be preferable to face-to-face; these include patients with social anxiety who may find it difficult to leave the house; patients with mobility issues, including those with chronic pain or chronic physical health problems, and patients who live in remote areas of the country. Incorporating the use of remote consultations beyond the pandemic in clinical practice alongside other technological advances of e-prescribing and electronic patient records will further advance patient care providing greater access to a wider geographical area in a timely fashion.…”