Marisa Sklar1,2,3, Kendal Reeder4,5, Kristine Carandang6,4, Mark G Ehrhart7, Gregory A Aarons6,4,8. 1. University of California San Diego Department of Psychiatry, 9500 Gilman Drive (0812), La Jolla, CA, 92093-0812, USA. masklar@health.ucsd.edu. 2. Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, 3665 Kearny Villa Rd., Suite 200N, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA. masklar@health.ucsd.edu. 3. UC San Diego Dissemination and Implementation Science Center, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, San Diego, USA. masklar@health.ucsd.edu. 4. Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, 3665 Kearny Villa Rd., Suite 200N, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA. 5. University of California Los Angeles Department of Psychology, Psychology Building 1285, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA. 6. University of California San Diego Department of Psychiatry, 9500 Gilman Drive (0812), La Jolla, CA, 92093-0812, USA. 7. University of Central Florida Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 161390, Orlando, FL 32816-1390, USA. 8. UC San Diego Dissemination and Implementation Science Center, Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, San Diego, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has remarkably altered community mental health service delivery through the rapid implementation of telehealth. This study reports provider perspectives on the impact that COVID-19 and the transition to telehealth had on their work and their ability to deliver evidence-based practices (EBPs). METHODS: Providers (n = 93) completed online surveys with quantitative measures and open-ended items exploring their reactions to COVID-19 and to the transition to providing services via telehealth. RESULTS: Perceptions of personal risk and rumination around COVID-19 were low, while telehealth was viewed positively by providers. Three major themes emerged regarding the major impacts of COVID-19 on work: (1) the altered nature of interactions between patient/client and provider due to telehealth implementation, (2) changes in provider expectations regarding productivity, and (3) challenges maintaining work-life balance. In regard to the major impacts of COVID-19 on EBP delivery, three themes emerged: (1) increased difficulty delivering certain therapies via telehealth, (2) potential limitations to session confidentiality, and (3) challenge of engaging children in telehealth. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, community mental health providers continued to engage with clients and deliver EBPs while navigating a number of changes related to the rapid transition to and implementation of telehealth. This study highlights the need for further work on what supports providers need to effectively engage with clients and deliver EBPs via telehealth, and has implications for how telehealth is sustained or de-implemented post-COVID-19.
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has remarkably altered community mental health service delivery through the rapid implementation of telehealth. This study reports provider perspectives on the impact that COVID-19 and the transition to telehealth had on their work and their ability to deliver evidence-based practices (EBPs). METHODS: Providers (n = 93) completed online surveys with quantitative measures and open-ended items exploring their reactions to COVID-19 and to the transition to providing services via telehealth. RESULTS: Perceptions of personal risk and rumination around COVID-19 were low, while telehealth was viewed positively by providers. Three major themes emerged regarding the major impacts of COVID-19 on work: (1) the altered nature of interactions between patient/client and provider due to telehealth implementation, (2) changes in provider expectations regarding productivity, and (3) challenges maintaining work-life balance. In regard to the major impacts of COVID-19 on EBP delivery, three themes emerged: (1) increased difficulty delivering certain therapies via telehealth, (2) potential limitations to session confidentiality, and (3) challenge of engaging children in telehealth. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, community mental health providers continued to engage with clients and deliver EBPs while navigating a number of changes related to the rapid transition to and implementation of telehealth. This study highlights the need for further work on what supports providers need to effectively engage with clients and deliver EBPs via telehealth, and has implications for how telehealth is sustained or de-implemented post-COVID-19.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; Community mental health; Evidence-based practice; Provider perspectives; Telehealth
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