Development and validation of the Telepsychology Facilitators Scale: A national study.

Abstract

This study developed and validated the Telepsychology Facilitators Scale (TFS), a novel measure that uses the theory of reasoned action and technology acceptance model as frameworks to assess factors that influence psychologists' openness to using telepsychology. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, an online sample of 2,619 psychologists completed initial items considered for the TFS, along with a measure assessing their actual use of telepsychology. The sample was split in half, with a preliminary exploratory factor analysis ultimately revealing a 13-item general scale with four distinct subscales (Positive Attitudes, Facilitating Infrastructure, Organizational Support, and External Policies). Higher scores on each subscale positively correlated with psychologists' percentage of patient treatment conducted with telepsychology. The exploratory factor analysis subscale structure was subsequently supported via confirmatory factory analyses of a four-factor structure and bifactor structure (tested separately) with the other half of the sample, revealing adequate model fit for both models and similar convergent validity. The TFS may help the field assess the potential barriers and drivers of telepsychology use among psychologists and be used to inform future organizational and policy efforts to increase telepsychology implementation and use across health service settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).