Relationship Between Challenges With the Use of Telehealth and Psychologists' Response During the Coronavirus Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Public Significance Statement This study is among the first in examining the relationship between challenges with the use of telehealth and psychologists' response during the coronavirus pandemic, highlighting the need to address both provider and patient barriers to telehealth that influence provider well-being. Allowing flexibility in policies, regulations, and format of service delivery and making telehealth training opportunities and resources available are key to ensure a healthy behavioral workforce and the continued delivery of health care services. The coronavirus pandemic drastically altered the landscape of mental health care delivery as psychologists pivoted to telehealth and grappled with increasing population mental health care needs. Despite the rapid shift to telehealth, many challenges on both the provider and patient sides remain. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between challenges with the use of telehealth and psychologists' response during the pandemic. The study used survey data from 1,679 doctoral-level licensed psychologists who provided services via telehealth during September-October 2020. Results from ordered logistic and ordinary least squares regressions suggest that the degree of telehealth challenge psychologists experienced was not statistically associated with workload, patient load, or ability to meet patient demand during the pandemic. However, the degree of telehealth challenge patients experienced was significantly associated with these outcomes. The fewer patients who experienced telehealth challenges, the more psychologists were able to maintain or increase their workload and patient load and meet patient demand. Telehealth challenges experienced by both psychologists and their patients were associated with psychologists' mental health. Psychologists experiencing fewer telehealth challenges, and having fewer patients experiencing telehealth challenges, were more likely to report lower stress levels, be able to practice self-care and maintain positive work-life balance, and less likely to experience burnout. Findings of this study have clear policy implications to encourage continued telehealth after the public health emergency ends and address barriers to effectively utilize telehealth. These measures are critical to supporting the health service psychologist workforce and maintaining the continuity of mental health care.