“I am surprised that it works so well”: clinicians’ views on delivering psychological assessments and therapy to young people in a fully-digital mental health service
The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice
ISSN: 1755-6228
Article publication date: 17 April 2023
Issue publication date: 4 May 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Many mental health clinicians have delivered services digitally in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging research suggests that, despite some initial discomfort, therapists appear to adjust to remote working. The purpose of this study is to explore the views of clinicians working within a fully digital organisation towards digital service provision.
Design/methodology/approach
Clinicians (N = 52) providing digital mental health assessments and treatments at Healios anonymously completed a mixed-methods questionnaire.
Findings
In all, 85% of participants enjoyed working remotely and 71% thought they would continue to work online over the next 5–10 years. Of the participants, 40% reported low confidence in online work’s efficacy before working remotely, but 96% reported confidence at the time of questionnaire completion: suggesting confidence increased with experience. An exploratory “inverted” factor analysis generated a two-factor solution, grouping clinicians into two factors based on key views. Factor 1 was predominantly characterised by satisfaction with training received and factor 2 by quality of technical experiences (encountering problems less often and greater personal confidence in resolving them). Qualitative feedback described some benefits of, and barriers to, digital service provision. Clinicians reflected on a perceived change in cultural norms, with more openness to digital services following the COVID-19 pandemic. On a personal level, teletherapy was viewed more favourably with increased personal experience.
Originality/value
Clinicians’ confidence in providing services digitally is discussed, with reference to how this may be affected by extent of remote working experience and availability of technical support. Staff well-being within the digital workspace is also discussed.
Keywords
Citation
May, M.J.B., Allen, V.M.E., Blackley, G., Julian Hare, D., Burbach, F.R. and Brown, K. (2023), "“I am surprised that it works so well”: clinicians’ views on delivering psychological assessments and therapy to young people in a fully-digital mental health service", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 228-247. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-04-2022-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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