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Paige SR, Bylund CL, Wilczewski H, Ong T, Barrera JF, Welch BM, Bunnell BE. Communicating about online health information with patients: Exploring determinants among telemental health providers. PEC INNOVATION 2023; 2:100176. [PMID: 37384157 PMCID: PMC10294076 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Objective To investigate determinants of telemental health (TMH) providers' openness to discuss and confidence to use online mental health information with patients, focusing on providers' eHealth literacy and perceived usefulness of online MH information. Methods TMH providers (N = 472) completed a web-based survey with questions about discussing and using online health information with patients, perceived usefulness of the Internet as a source of patient information, and eHealth literacy. Results Providers were open to discussing online health information with patients if they were not treating substance abuse disorders (b = -0.83), felt the Internet was a useful resource (b = 0.18), and felt confident in their skills to evaluate the online information (b = 0.21). Providers were confident using online health information if they worked in a small clinic (b = 0.37), felt the Internet was a useful resource (b = 0.31), knew where to access relevant online health information (b = 0.13), and had skills to help their patients find (b = 0.17) and evaluate (b = 0.54) online information. Conclusion TMH providers are likely to use online health information resources if they know where and how to find them and perceive the Internet as a useful resource. Innovation To effectively discuss online health information with patients, providers require skills to evaluate the information with patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carma L. Bylund
- Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Triton Ong
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Janelle F. Barrera
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Brandon M. Welch
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Brian E. Bunnell
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc., Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Paige SR, Ong T, Wilczewski H, Barrera JF, Welch BM, Bunnell BE. Clinical and Information Services Needed by Telemental Health Providers. Telemed J E Health 2023; 29:141-145. [PMID: 35617706 PMCID: PMC9918345 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2021.0457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To identify clinical and informational services that telemental health (TMH) providers need to be more successful in their practice. Methods: In February-March 2021, 472 TMH providers completed a cross-sectional survey. Providers indicated the degree to which they need clinical (e.g., build therapeutic alliances) and informational (e.g., learn about regulatory changes) services. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine differences in needs according to when telemedicine was adopted. Results: TMH providers neutrally-to-somewhat agreed they could benefit from clinical (M = 3.24; standard deviation [SD] = 0.78) and informational (M = 3.66; SD = 0.82) services. Prepandemic TMH providers reported a greater need for services that help them cultivate relationships with patients, monitor health conditions, and to remain updated about reimbursement processes. Conclusion: All TMH providers could benefit from information about the latest trends and best practices in telemedicine. Prepandemic providers could benefit most from policy-related updates and patient-engagement services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Triton Ong
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | - Janelle F. Barrera
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Brandon M. Welch
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
- Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Brian E. Bunnell
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me, Inc., Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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Wilczewski H, Paige SR, Ong T, Soni H, Barrera JF, Welch BM, Bunnell BE. Provider Perspectives on Telemental Health Usage After COVID-19: A Retrospective Analysis (Preprint). JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e39634. [PMID: 36322787 PMCID: PMC9662289 DOI: 10.2196/39634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mental health care pivoted to telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is uncertainty around the sustainability of this rapid shift. Objective This study examined how intentions to continue using telemedicine after the COVID-19 pandemic are influenced by provider perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, and 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 after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Most providers began using telemedicine in March 2020 or later (257/369, 69.6%) and attended to ≥50% of their clients via telemedicine (299/369, 81.0%). Intention to continue using telemedicine after the COVID-19 pandemic was predicted by the telemedicine caseload (β=.10; P=.005), perceived usefulness in general (β=.10; P=.008), ease of use (β=.08; P=.04), social influence (β=.68; P<.001), and facilitating conditions (β=.08; P=.047). Conclusions Exploration of the predictors of telemedicine usage beyond the COVID-19 pandemic aids in surveillance of telemedicine usage, integration with future clinic workflows, and the shaping of public policy. It is important to consider telemedicine services as not only a response to a crisis but also an effective and useful solution for everyday life. Our results suggest widespread, sustainable telemedicine adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Triton Ong
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Hiral Soni
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Janelle F Barrera
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Brandon M Welch
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc, Rochester, NY, United States
- Biomedical Informatics Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Brian E Bunnell
- Doxy.me Research, Doxy.me Inc, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
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Rohrmann T, Praus P, Proctor T, Benedyk A, Tost H, Hennig O, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Wahl AS. Patients with affective disorders profit most from telemedical treatment: Evidence from a naturalistic patient cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:971896. [PMID: 36532188 PMCID: PMC9751940 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.971896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic telemedicine became essential in maintaining diagnostic procedures and treatment in psychiatry. However, it is still an open question if telemedicine is a feasible treatment option for all groups of psychiatric patients alike. This prospective monocentric observational trial was conducted to assess the general applicability of telemedical treatment in a naturalistic psychiatric outpatient cohort and to identify groups of disorders and clusters of psychopathology that respond particularly well to telemedical treatment considering sociodemographic characteristics and patients' perspectives. METHODS Patients were recruited April 2020-April 2021 and asked to fill out the WHO-5 and the SCL-90R at baseline, after 4-6 and 8-12 weeks and a feedback-survey. Additionally, medical records, psychopathology, psychosocial functioning, and socio-demographic data were analyzed. Primary outcomes were well-being, psychopathology and functioning during treatment. Secondly, diagnostic groups and psychopathology linked to a superior treatment-response were determined with respect to patients' subjective experiences. RESULTS Out of 1.385 patients, 254-mostly with hyperkinetic (35.3%) and depressive disorders (24.6%)-took part. Well-being and SCL-90R total scores improved substantially (both p < 0.001). CGI and GAF scores were worse in depressed subjects (both p < 0.05). Improvement was mainly seen in depressed patients; chronic disorders experienced a decline in well-being. Sociodemographic characteristics could not explain this difference. Particularly female (r = 0.413) patients found telepsychiatry equivalent to conventional treatment. The more virtual sessions participants attended the more likely they were to find telepsychiatry equal to conventional treatment (r = 0.231). CONCLUSION Telemedicine is an effective treatment for patients with depression under naturalistic conditions. Telemedical consultations are a simple and reliable way of monitoring symptom severity and directing treatment choices during the treatment of depressive disorders. Patients with depression benefited more from telemedical treatment compared to participants with chronic non-episodic psychiatric disorders. Future research needs to concentrate on improving telemedical treatment options suited for the latter conditions. Psychiatric telemedicine yielded overall high degrees of satisfaction among users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Rohrmann
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Peter Praus
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Tanja Proctor
- Institute of Medical Biometry (IMBI), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anastasia Benedyk
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Heike Tost
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Oliver Hennig
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Anna-Sophia Wahl
- Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.,Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Ludwigs-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
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