Mental Health Care Providers’ Attitudes Toward Telepsychiatry: A Systemwide, Multisite Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Daniel Guinart, Patricia Marcy, Marta Hauser, Michael Dwyer, John M. Kane
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: 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. CONCLUSIONS: Telepsychiatry was very well perceived among mental health care providers, and many would like to continue using it. Access to technology and training raises concerns.