Barriers and facilitators of videoconferencing psychotherapy implementation in veteran mental health care environments: a systematic review

Abstract Background Whilst treatment for mental health issues has traditionally been conducted in-person, advances in technology has seen a recent growth in the use of online video therapy services to help overcome access-to-care barriers faced by those living in rural locations and those unable to...

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Main Authors: Samuel D. Muir, Kathleen de Boer, Maja Nedeljkovic, Denny Meyer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2020-11-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-020-05858-3
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author Samuel D. Muir
Kathleen de Boer
Maja Nedeljkovic
Denny Meyer
author_facet Samuel D. Muir
Kathleen de Boer
Maja Nedeljkovic
Denny Meyer
author_sort Samuel D. Muir
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Whilst treatment for mental health issues has traditionally been conducted in-person, advances in technology has seen a recent growth in the use of online video therapy services to help overcome access-to-care barriers faced by those living in rural locations and those unable to travel. These barriers are particularly apparent in the case of veteran populations, which is the focus of this review. Whilst the research investigating the efficacy of online video therapy to treat mental health issues among veterans is promising, widespread adoption and utilisation of this modality remains low with efforts often failing to progress past the pilot phase to implementation. This review focuses on the implementation of online video therapy in veteran mental health care settings and aims to identify the potential barriers and facilitators relevant to implementing the modality in military organisations. Methods A systematic search of three databases (PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science) was conducted. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to investigate the challenges, lessons learnt, or factors operating as barriers and/or facilitators to the implementation of online video therapy in veteran health care systems. Results The initial search revealed a total of 202 articles. This was reduced to 133 when duplicates were removed. After screening the titles and abstracts a further 70 articles were excluded leaving 63 to be retrieved for full review. A total of 10 studies were included in this review. The most commonly reported barriers were related to clinician concerns, logistical problems, and technology. Other barriers included access to resources as well as challenges posed by collaborations, policy and recruitment. Facilitators included experience using the modality and having dedicated staff responsible for promoting and managing the new service (e.g., on-site champions and telehealth technicians). Conclusions This review suggests that numerous barriers must be identified and addressed before attempting to implement an online video therapy service in veteran organisations. Further research is needed to establish best practice for implementation, particularly across geographically dispersed sites. It is hoped that the findings of this review will be used to help inform future implementation efforts and research initiatives in this space.
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spelling doaj.art-0efb5dba847b48d5887dd3619b3603442022-12-21T19:26:28ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632020-11-0120111110.1186/s12913-020-05858-3Barriers and facilitators of videoconferencing psychotherapy implementation in veteran mental health care environments: a systematic reviewSamuel D. Muir0Kathleen de Boer1Maja Nedeljkovic2Denny Meyer3School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of TechnologySchool of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of TechnologySchool of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of TechnologySchool of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of TechnologyAbstract Background Whilst treatment for mental health issues has traditionally been conducted in-person, advances in technology has seen a recent growth in the use of online video therapy services to help overcome access-to-care barriers faced by those living in rural locations and those unable to travel. These barriers are particularly apparent in the case of veteran populations, which is the focus of this review. Whilst the research investigating the efficacy of online video therapy to treat mental health issues among veterans is promising, widespread adoption and utilisation of this modality remains low with efforts often failing to progress past the pilot phase to implementation. This review focuses on the implementation of online video therapy in veteran mental health care settings and aims to identify the potential barriers and facilitators relevant to implementing the modality in military organisations. Methods A systematic search of three databases (PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science) was conducted. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to investigate the challenges, lessons learnt, or factors operating as barriers and/or facilitators to the implementation of online video therapy in veteran health care systems. Results The initial search revealed a total of 202 articles. This was reduced to 133 when duplicates were removed. After screening the titles and abstracts a further 70 articles were excluded leaving 63 to be retrieved for full review. A total of 10 studies were included in this review. The most commonly reported barriers were related to clinician concerns, logistical problems, and technology. Other barriers included access to resources as well as challenges posed by collaborations, policy and recruitment. Facilitators included experience using the modality and having dedicated staff responsible for promoting and managing the new service (e.g., on-site champions and telehealth technicians). Conclusions This review suggests that numerous barriers must be identified and addressed before attempting to implement an online video therapy service in veteran organisations. Further research is needed to establish best practice for implementation, particularly across geographically dispersed sites. It is hoped that the findings of this review will be used to help inform future implementation efforts and research initiatives in this space.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-020-05858-3Telemental healthVeteransVideoconferencingImplementation
spellingShingle Samuel D. Muir
Kathleen de Boer
Maja Nedeljkovic
Denny Meyer
Barriers and facilitators of videoconferencing psychotherapy implementation in veteran mental health care environments: a systematic review
BMC Health Services Research
Telemental health
Veterans
Videoconferencing
Implementation
title Barriers and facilitators of videoconferencing psychotherapy implementation in veteran mental health care environments: a systematic review
title_full Barriers and facilitators of videoconferencing psychotherapy implementation in veteran mental health care environments: a systematic review
title_fullStr Barriers and facilitators of videoconferencing psychotherapy implementation in veteran mental health care environments: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Barriers and facilitators of videoconferencing psychotherapy implementation in veteran mental health care environments: a systematic review
title_short Barriers and facilitators of videoconferencing psychotherapy implementation in veteran mental health care environments: a systematic review
title_sort barriers and facilitators of videoconferencing psychotherapy implementation in veteran mental health care environments a systematic review
topic Telemental health
Veterans
Videoconferencing
Implementation
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12913-020-05858-3
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