Remote-delivered services during COVID-19: A mixed-methods survey of college counseling center clinicians

Abstract

Objective:The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased use of remotedelivered mental health services. This study identifies advantages and limitations of remote-delivered services on college campuses to inform mental health delivery post-pandemic. Methods: Clinicians (n = 30) were asked to evaluate COVID-19's impact on their work, environment, and wellness in an online survey. Qualitative data was coded using a thematic analysis approach, while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Many clinicians reported benefits of remote services, including increased accessibility, greater convenience, no change in therapeutic alliance, and decreased stress for clinicians. Clinicians also experienced challenges such as social isolation, technological difficulties, and personal/family concerns. Clinicians envisioned a hybrid service combining online and in-person activities post-pandemic.Conclusions: Overall, remote-delivered mental health services on college campuses have potential in increasing treatment quality while highlighting a necessity for further research in hybrid mental health delivery.

Overcoming Clinician Technophobia: What We Learned from Our Mass Exposure to Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…When faced with the necessity to use telehealth, some evidence suggests clinicians experienced negative feelings including anxiety (Doorn et al, 2021 ; Doran & Lawson, 2021 ). A qualitative study found about a quarter of the sample’s clinicians described an initial negative and pessimistic reaction to their transition to telehealth, citing concerns about the quality of care and the ability to manage complex cases and crisis situations (Hersch et al, 2022 ). Importantly, however, during the rapid transition to telehealth, expectations of telehealth competency were tempered.…”

“…Direct experience with telehealth resulted in reduced negative reactions to telehealth (Doorn et al, 2021 ; Doran & Lawson, 2021 ). Qualitative studies illustrated how clinicians faced their telehealth concerns during the pandemic and committed to behavior change that ultimately enriched the experience of their patients and themselves (Hersch et al, 2022 ; Uscher-Pines et al, 2020 ). Many clinicians reported that consistent exposure to telehealth resulted in favorable impressions and that remaining concerns are not about the technology but the extent to which systems could support its continued use (e.g., differential reimbursement rates and licensure restrictions; Lipschitz et al, 2022 ).…”

Access and efficacy of university mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Supporting earlier studies, the present study indicated that Telehealth was the most popular type of mental health care during the pandemic ( 28 ). Hersch et al ( 37 ) suggest this could be due to ease of access offered by telehealth which increases both attendance and participation. However, participants in the present study expressed a desire for in-person counseling, or at least some in person counseling, as one participant expressed.…”

“…Differences in health beliefs and the perceived threat of COVID-19 may have also affected prevention and treatment support ( 32 ). Hersch et al ( 37 ) adds the issue of digital disparities among US college students, which unevenly impacted students of color. The intersectionality of identities such as mental illness, racial/ethnic minority, and gender identity, increased the risk of discrimination, health disparities, and heighten health risks ( 3 , 38 ).…”

The work of college counseling centers in the early 21st century.

“…On April 16, 2007, when an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, shot and killed 32 people and injured 17 others (Hauser & O'Connor, 2007;Shapira & Jackman, 2007), how campuses viewed the counseling center's role in assessing such risks fundamentally changed. In the weeks and months to follow, a deep examination of the shooter's mental health history resulted in an increased focus on campus safety and campus mental health services (Kaminski et al, 2010;Virginia Tech Review Panel, 2007).…”