Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Apr 14, 2025
Date Accepted: Jan 30, 2026
Mental Health Professionals’ Perceptions of Benefits and Disadvantages of Telehealth: An International Mixed Methods Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Telehealth has become an integral component of mental health care delivery worldwide. Understanding provider perceptions is essential to guiding its continued implementation.
Objective:
This international study used quantitative and qualitative methodologies to examine and broaden our understanding of the benefits and concerns related to telehealth for mental health care.
Methods:
An internet-based survey was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic between November 11 and December 18, 2020, among mental health professionals, primarily psychiatrists and psychologists, registered with WHO’s Global Clinical Practice Network (GCPN). Participants who consented and completed the telehealth section of the survey were included in the present study. Clinicians completed the survey in one of six languages (Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish). Telehealth survey questions included quantitative questions about concerns and implementation, and an open-ended question about providers’ perspectives on the benefits of telehealth.
Results:
847 participants completed the telehealth section of the survey and 496 provided a response to the open-ended question. Quantitative data on telehealth use and concerns revealed that clinicians’ primary concerns focused on technical issues and clinical effectiveness relative to in-person services, specifically, loss of clinical information (e.g., non-verbal behaviour) and challenges with establishing a therapeutic alliance. Findings varied by profession, WHO region, and telehealth training and experience. Qualitative data examining benefits fell into three major areas: accessibility and reach of mental health services, efficiency and flexibility for clinicians, and enhancement of clinical processes and outcomes. Taken together, findings revealed a trade-off between telehealth benefits and disadvantages.
Conclusions:
From the perspective of mental health professionals, telehealth practice comes with key challenges and valuable benefits. Findings offer important considerations for implementation of telehealth systems, including the importance of training and education and balancing trade-offs to optimize care.
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