Covid-19, Rural Communities, and Implications of Telebehavioral Health Services

Addressing the Benefits and Challenges of Behavioral Health Services via Telehealth in Nebraska

Dados Bibliográficos

ID13024096
AutoresEmily Freske (University of Nebraska at Kearney), Benjamin R Malczyk (University of Nebraska at Kearney, autor correspondente)
Ano2021
Volume11
Fascículo4
Páginas141-141
Data de publicação2021-11-30
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSocieties (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2075-4698 • E-ISSN: 2075-4698
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/soc11040141
OpenAlexW3215623286
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas32

Telehealth has been in use, in various forms, for over a century and is growing increasingly more popular. The current research sought to examine the prevalence, benefits, and challenges of telehealth for behavioral and mental health services in the state of Nebraska with a particular focus on rural communities. The COVID-19 pandemic coincided with the research endeavors and impacted the questions that were asked related to the use of telebehavioral health. Specifically, the research included an investigation of the rates of use of telebehavioral health across agencies and whether/how the pandemic impacted the use of telehealth services. The research included an initial examination of more than 50 behavioral health agencies to assess overall utilization of telehealth. Researchers then conducted interviews with 15 practitioners to discuss the challenges and benefits associated with telehealth services. Key results suggest that implementation of telehealth in Nebraska has resulted in increased access to services among rural residents and has deeply impacted clinical practice. Additionally, clinicians identified specific benefits and challenges of telebehavioral health. It was also noted that the majority of clinicians plan to continue providing services via telehealth if the policies and regulations remain as they are post-COVID-19. Implications of this research highlight the efficiency and effectiveness of using telehealth to increase access

Business · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Health care · Medical education · Mental health · Pandemic · Political science · Psychiatry · Public relations · Rural area · Rural health · Telehealth · Telemedicine · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Nursing · Patient Satisfaction in Healthcare · Psychology · Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation