JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the search for digital solutions in mental health treatment, particularly due to social distancing by both patients and clinicians. This has resulted in the dramatic growth of Video-Based Telemental Health (V-TMH) services. It is critical for behavioral health providers and the mental health field to understand the implication of V-TMH expansion on its stakeholders who use the service, including patients and clinicians, to provide the service that addresses both patients’ and clinical needs. Some key questions arise as a result: (1) In what ways does V-TMH affect the practice of psychotherapy? (clinical needs); (2) To what extent are ethical and patient-centered concerns warranted in terms of V-TMH services? (patient needs); and (3) How do factors related to user experience affect treatment dynamics for both the patient and therapist? (patient and clinical needs) We discuss how behavioral health providers can consider the future delivery of mental healthcare services given the questions posed. These questions pose strong implications for technological innovation, adaptations of treatments to new technologies, and the training of professionals delivering V-TMH and other digital health interventions.