@Article{info:doi/10.2196/39634,
author="Wilczewski, Hattie
and Paige, Samantha R
and Ong, Triton
and Soni, Hiral
and Barrera, Janelle F
and Welch, Brandon M
and Bunnell, Brian E",
title="Providers' Perspectives on Telemental Health Usage After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Retrospective Analysis",
journal="JMIR Form Res",
year="2022",
month="Nov",
day="11",
volume="6",
number="11",
pages="e39634",
keywords="telemedicine; telehealth; COVID-19; telemental health; mental health; pandemic; perception; use; usefulness; usage; workflow",
abstract="Background: Mental health care pivoted to telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is uncertainty around the sustainability of this rapid shift. Objective: This study examined how intentions to continue using telemedicine after the COVID-19 pandemic are influenced by provider perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, and professional social influence, facilitating organizational conditions. Methods: We conducted a web-based, cross-sectional survey of 369 telemental health providers between February and March 2021. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to predict intentions to continue using telemedicine after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Most providers began using telemedicine in March 2020 or later (257/369, 69.6{\%}) and attended to ≥50{\%} of their clients via telemedicine (299/369, 81.0{\%}). Intention to continue using telemedicine after the COVID-19 pandemic was predicted by the telemedicine caseload ($\beta$=.10; P=.005), perceived usefulness in general ($\beta$=.10; P=.008), ease of use ($\beta$=.08; P=.04), social influence ($\beta$=.68; P<.001), and facilitating conditions ($\beta$=.08; P=.047). Conclusions: Exploration of the predictors of telemedicine usage beyond the COVID-19 pandemic aids in surveillance of telemedicine usage, integration with future clinic workflows, and the shaping of public policy. It is important to consider telemedicine services as not only a response to a crisis but also an effective and useful solution for everyday life. Our results suggest widespread, sustainable telemedicine adoption. ",
issn="2561-326X",
doi="10.2196/39634",
url="https://formative.jmir.org/2022/11/e39634",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/39634",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36322787"
}