The Provision and Utilization of Telehealth Within Academic Mental Health Clinics in North America During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective

To document the experience of 14 academic child and adolescent psychiatry programs in transitioning to and managing telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to understand how programs adopted and sustained telehealth during the pandemic. Telehealth was defined as services delivered via videoconferencing and telephony.

Method

In this descriptive study, faculty from 14 programs completed online surveys about the use of both telehealth and in-person services from February 2020 to June 2021. Survey questions addressed telehealth practices (eg, policies, support resources), monthly service utilization, telehealth modality (videoconferencing vs telephony), and missed appointments.

Results

Programs varied in the proportion of appointments delivered by telehealth before the pandemic (February 2020; 0%-27%). By May 2020, all programs were providing a majority of visits via telehealth (64%-100%). In June 2021, all programs continued to provide services via telehealth (41%-100%) and reported that they would continue to do so moving forward. Programs addressed many challenges to telehealth provision during the study period, including adding interpreter services, technological support for providers and patients, and formalizing safety and training requirements.

Conclusion

Academic child and adolescent psychiatry programs provided outpatient services primarily via telehealth throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and reported that they planned to continue using telehealth in combination with in-person services moving forward. Academic programs should address logistical, technological, and financial barriers to the sustained use of telehealth.