Cited by 379Telemedicine and Telehealth ImplementationCOVID-19 and Mental HealthDental Research and COVID-19

The COVID-19 telepsychology revolution: A national study of pandemic-based changes in U.S. mental health care delivery.

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Pierce, Bradford S., Perrin, Paul B., Tyler, Carmen M., McKee, Grace B., Watson, Jack D.·2021·American Psychologist

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered mental health care delivery like no other event in modern history. The purpose of this study was to document the magnitude of that effect by examining (a) the amount of psychologists' telepsychology use before the COVID-19 pandemic, during the pandemic, and anticipated use after the pandemic; as well as (b) the demographic, training, policy, and clinical practice predictors of these changes. This study used a cross-sectional, national online design to recruit 2,619 licensed psychologists practicing in the United States. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, psychologists performed 7.07% of their clinical work with telepsychology, which increased 12-fold to 85.53% during the pandemic, with 67.32% of psychologists conducting all of their clinical work with telepsychology. Psychologists projected that they would perform 34.96% of their clinical work via telepsychology after the pandemic. Psychologists working in outpatient treatment facilities reported over a 26-fold increase in telepsychology use during the pandemic, while those in Veterans Affairs medical centers only reported a sevenfold increase. A larger increase in percentage telepsychology use occurred in women, in psychologists who reported an increase in telepsychology training and supportive organizational telepsychology policies, and in psychologists who treated relationship issues, anxiety, and women's issues. The lowest increases in percentage telepsychology use were reported by psychologists working in rural areas, treating antisocial personality disorder, performing testing and evaluation, and treating rehabilitation populations. Although there was a remarkable increase in telepsychology use during the COVID-19 pandemic, individual and practice characteristics affected psychologists' ability to adopt telepsychology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

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Crossref · 10.1037/amp0000722

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Authors
Pierce, B. S., Perrin, P. B., Tyler, C. M., McKee, G. B., & Watson, J. D.
Affiliations
  • Virginia Commonwealth University (US)
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs (US)
Venue
American Psychologist
Published
2021-01
Volume
76
Issue
1
Pages
14-25
ISSN
  • 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-990X
OpenAlex
W3080790449
Cited by
374
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 25 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 75 · 2022: 99 · 2021: 82 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 1
FWCI
49.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Psychologist (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Veterans Affairs Central Virginia Health Care System
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › General Dentistry › Dental Research and COVID-19
Keywords
telepsychology, COVID-19 pandemic, mental health service delivery, psychologists, telehealth adoption, telehealth policy, outpatient care, Veterans Affairs hospitals, telehealth education, gender differences, relationship problems, anxiety, women's issues, antisocial personality disorder
MeSH terms
COVID-19, Adult, Ambulatory Care, Mental Disorders, Cross-Sectional Studies, Delivery of Health Care, Female, Hospitals, Federal, Humans, Male, Mental Health Services, Middle Aged, Psychology, Clinical, United States, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Telemedicine

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