Use of Telehealth in Mental Health (MH) Services During and After COVID-19

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Todd Molfenter, University of Wisconsin; Thomasine Heitkamp, College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines; Ann A Murphy, Rutgers, School of Health Professions; Stephanie Tapscott, Emory University; Stephanie Behlman, University of Wisconsin; Olivia J Cody, University of Wisconsin
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-06-24
• Publisher: Springer (part of Springer Nature)
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2021
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00861-2
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL
• Volume: 57
• Issue: 7
• Start Page: 1244
• End Page: 1251
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was funded by the following Substance Use and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Cooperative Agreements: H79SM081733, H79SM081783, H79SM081774, H79SM081792.
• Keywords: Technology adoption; Telehealth; Mental health; Behavioral health
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Nursing; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

COVID-19 social distancing guidelines caused a rapid transition to telephone and video technologies for the delivery of mental health (MH) services. The study examined: (a) adoption of these technologies across the MH service continuum; (b) acceptance of these technologies; and (c) intention of providers to use these technologies following the pandemic based on a sample of 327 MH organizations from 22 states during May–August 2020. There was widespread use of technology, with greater than 69% of organizations reporting using telephone or video for most services. For all video services and just three telephone services, organizations reported significantly greater odds of intending to use technology to deliver services post-COVID-19. Use of video was seen as more desirable as compared to telephone. The overall perceived ease of use and usefulness for video-based services and certain telephone services provide a promising outlook for use of these services post the COVID-19 pandemic.