An observational study of the impact of COVID-19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providers
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 deliv...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Implementation Science Communications |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-021-00123-y |
| _version_ | 1818428075436670976 |
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| author | Marisa Sklar Kendal Reeder Kristine Carandang Mark G. Ehrhart Gregory A. Aarons |
| author_facet | Marisa Sklar Kendal Reeder Kristine Carandang Mark G. Ehrhart Gregory A. Aarons |
| author_sort | Marisa Sklar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T14:55:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6650aa144a2b4165ab2179ea4ee28d8a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2662-2211 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T14:55:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Implementation Science Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-6650aa144a2b4165ab2179ea4ee28d8a2022-12-21T22:56:59ZengBMCImplementation Science Communications2662-22112021-03-012111010.1186/s43058-021-00123-yAn observational study of the impact of COVID-19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providersMarisa Sklar0Kendal Reeder1Kristine Carandang2Mark G. Ehrhart3Gregory A. Aarons4University of California San Diego Department of PsychiatryChild and Adolescent Services Research CenterUniversity of California San Diego Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Central Florida Department of PsychologyUniversity of California San Diego Department of PsychiatryAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-021-00123-yCOVID-19TelehealthCommunity mental healthProvider perspectivesEvidence-based practice |
| spellingShingle | Marisa Sklar Kendal Reeder Kristine Carandang Mark G. Ehrhart Gregory A. Aarons An observational study of the impact of COVID-19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providers Implementation Science Communications COVID-19 Telehealth Community mental health Provider perspectives Evidence-based practice |
| title | An observational study of the impact of COVID-19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providers |
| title_full | An observational study of the impact of COVID-19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providers |
| title_fullStr | An observational study of the impact of COVID-19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providers |
| title_full_unstemmed | An observational study of the impact of COVID-19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providers |
| title_short | An observational study of the impact of COVID-19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providers |
| title_sort | observational study of the impact of covid 19 and the rapid implementation of telehealth on community mental health center providers |
| topic | COVID-19 Telehealth Community mental health Provider perspectives Evidence-based practice |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43058-021-00123-y |
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