Acceptability and feasibility of telehealth as a training modality for trainee psychologist placements: a COVID-19 response study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective This study examined the extent to which telehealth placements are feasible for developing perceived competence as a psychologist and are an acceptable training modality for provisional psychologists. Method Fifteen provisional psychologists who undertook a postgraduate placement using telehealth completed an online survey. Acceptability and attitudes towards future telehealth service provision were assessed via Likert scales and open-ended questions. Feasibility was assessed via comparison using Wilcoxon Rank Signed tests of pre- and post-placement self-efficacy using the Psychology Counsellor Self-Efficacy Scale. Open-ended questions were analysed using content analysis. Results Participants reported high satisfaction with the telehealth placement. Perceived self-efficacy improved between pre- and post-placement on all competencies except for research. Students reported that a telehealth placement enabled them to improve in all areas, with particular benefits including rapport building, therapeutic questioning, and management of safety and ethical concerns. Challenges of a telehealth placement included assessing mental status, isolation from peers, and technical difficulties. Students reported positive attitudes towards future use of telehealth. Conclusions Telehealth appears to offer an acceptable, feasible and valuable training experience for developing competence for provisional psychologists. Undertaking a telehealth placement may help prepare clinicians for future use of telehealth, especially in relation to ethics and risk management. Key points What is already known about this topic: (1) Psychologists typically report a reluctance to utilise telehealth and uptake has remained low prior to COVID-19 despite changes in Medicare. (2) Limited training in telehealth, especially around ethical issues and managing risk, is a key barrier to telehealth utilisation amongst psychologists. (3) Only very limited research has examined the use of telehealth placements in tertiary training, despite the need to pivot to telehealth placements during COVID-19. What this topic adds: (1) This study highlights that telehealth placements are both feasible and acceptable for developing competence and skill in trainee psychologists. (2) Telehealth placements equipped provisional psychologists with enhanced skills specific to telehealth service provision including managing ethical and safety concerns online. (3) Provisional psychologists who completed a telehealth placement reported an intention to utilise telehealth in future service provision.