Social Work Answers the (Video) Call: Tele-Behavioral Health Use During COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: COVID-19 disrupted access to and the delivery of behavioral health services for both clients and social work providers. This study aims to examine the use of tele-behavioral health by social workers before and during the pandemic, as well as the perceived barriers and supports to the use of technology. Method: An electronic survey was developed and distributed to a convenience sample of practicing social work professionals (n = 585) through a national listserv.A mixed methods study design was used to analyze responses. Results: Over 92% of social workers reported using tele-behavioral health since the beginning of COVID-19, as compared to 28% prior. About half of respondents received training on tele-behavioral health since COVID-19, whereas only 23% had received training prior. The vast majority (87%) indicated one or more barriers to the use of tele-behavioral health, with client barriers (73%) being the area of greatest concern. Yet, social workers overwhelmingly reported the desire for tele-behavioral health to continue beyond COVID-19. Conclusions: Based on study findings, we propose the following recommendations: 1) Ensure parity and reimbursement for tele-behavioral health; 2) Train current and future social work social work practitioners in tele-behavioral health; 3) Provide supports to engage clients use of tele-behavioral health.

Federally Qualified Health Centers Use of Telehealth to Deliver Integrated Behavioral Health Care During COVID-19

“…Overall, study findings align with those of other recent work suggesting that patients not only regard tele-BH as an acceptable method for receiving care, but in fact frequently prefer this mode of care (Guinart et al, 2021 ; Lombardi et al, 2022 ). Moreover, findings indicate that providers find tele-BH a helpful option and FQHC administrators noted that tele-visits benefit patients by increasing accessibility.…”

“…Overall, the expansion of telehealth gave providers additional tools to provide treatment, which can increase patient satisfaction (Kruse et al, 2017 ). Several studies of IBH providers across disciplines have documented providers’ overwhelming support for adding telecommunication options for care (Guinart et al, 2021 ; Lombardi et al, 2022 ; Schoebel et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Tele-BH for one-to-one psychotherapy is an effective treatment modality (Aboujaoude et al, 2015 ; Hilty et al, 2013 ) that has proven to be particularly advantageous during the pandemic (Lombardi et al, 2022 ; Schoebel et al, 2021 ). However, the transition to tele-BH also posed challenges to FQHC’s ability to maintain critical components of IBH.…”

“…The survey was deployed via Qualtrics and collected descriptive data, including FQHC location, number of clinics, and IBH model. Four sections of questions addressed telecommunication and tele-BH (using items drawn from two existing studies of tele-BH [Lombardi et al, 2022 ; Mace et al, 2018 ]): use of telecommunications for IBH during the pandemic; telecommunication methods (audio-only, video, e-mail/text); IBH team members’ use of telecommunications; and barriers to tele-BH (e.g., reimbursement, technical challenges).…”

“We are on the frontlines too”: A qualitative content analysis of US social workers' experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…While many social workers were able to shift to telehealth during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic (e.g. Cooper & Zerden, 2021 ; Lombardi et al, 2021 ; Ross et al, 2021 ), meeting human needs requires direct in‐person services in the domains of child protection, health, homelessness, substance use and aging/older adult services (Abrams & Dettlaff, 2020 ; Banks et al, 2020 ). In this capacity, social workers remain both frontline and essential.…”