Provider Perspectives on Telemental Health Usage After COVID-19: A Retrospective Analysis

JMIR Form Res. 2022 Oct 31. doi: 10.2196/39634. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mental health care pivoted to telemedicine during COVID-19, and there is uncertainty around the sustainability of this rapid shift.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined how intentions to continue using telemedicine post-COVID are influenced by provider perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, professional social influence, facilitating organizational conditions.

METHODS: We conducted a web-based, cross-sectional survey of 369 telemental health providers between February and March 2021. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to predict intentions to continue using telemedicine post-COVID.

RESULTS: Most providers began using telemedicine March 2020 or later (257/369, 69.6%) and saw ≥50% of their clients via telemedicine (299/369, 81.0%). Analyses revealed that intention to continue using telemedicine post-COVID was predicted by telemedicine caseload ( = .10; P = .005), perceived usefulness in general ( = .10; P = .008), ease-of-use ( = .08; P = .04), social influence ( = .68; P < .001) and facilitating conditions ( = .08; P = .047).

CONCLUSIONS: Exploration into predictors of telemedicine usage beyond COVID-19 aids in surveillance of telemedicine usage, integration with future clinic workflows, and the shaping of public policy. It is important to consider telemedicine services not only as a response to a crisis, but as an effective and useful solution for everyday life. Our results suggest widespread, sustainable telemedicine adoption.

CLINICALTRIAL: Not applicable.

PMID:36322787 | DOI:10.2196/39634