ABSTRACT
Objectives: No prior studies have examined group teleconference (TeleGroup) delivery of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for youth mental health disorders. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of TeleGroups given the need to rapidly adapt multiple EBTs for telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Due to local outbreak of COVID-19 in mid-March 2020, all in-person treatment groups at an academic children’s hospital were canceled. We rapidly adapted 6 EBTs representing 10 distinctive curricula to TeleGroup format. We initiated 14 TeleGroups with 6 to 12 families each. Caregivers and adolescents completed anonymous digital surveys with 12 questions about their experience with group teleconferencing, acceptability of TeleGroup components, and qualitative feedback. We calculated descriptive statistics for numerical data and completed thematic analysis of open-ended feedback. Results: A total of 84 caregivers (median age range: 40-49 years;31.5% over age 50 years;73% female) and 10 adolescents (ages 14-18 years) completed surveys. Most caregivers surveyed in March had never used group teleconferencing, but by April, over 90% had used it for work or socializing. After technical difficulties with an initial host platform, families participating via WebEx or Zoom (n = 78) reported overall high satisfaction with TeleGroups. A majority (86.7%) of caregivers endorsed satisfaction with TeleGroups compared to no treatment;a minority (5.2%) of caregivers were not satisfied due to difficulties with implementing CBT components (eg, exposure) via videoconferencing. Sixty-six percent found TeleGroups to be acceptable (moderately to highly) relative to in-person groups. Families reported the highest acceptability for lectures, group discussions, and using the chat functions. Thematic analysis indicated that participants experienced reduced logistical barriers to participation and recommended prerecording of psychoeducation lectures. Conclusions: TeleGroup delivery of EBTs is a feasible and acceptable format for youth and families with a wide range of presenting mental health concerns. Implementation strategies and implications of TeleGroups for safety, reach, and equity in the delivery of EBTs are discussed. TVM, EBP, P