Mental Health Care Providers' Attitudes Toward Telepsychiatry: A Systemwide, Multisite Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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.

Automated summary

The study found that mental health care providers generally had a positive experience and attitude towards telepsychiatry, citing advantages such as flexible scheduling and timely start. However, challenges like patients' inability to use conferencing devices, lack of sense of closeness, and technical problems were identified.