Telehealth Training and Provider Experience of Delivering Behavioral Health Services

The exclusion of telehealth training and education in behavioral health degree programs contributes to the challenges in telehealth delivery. This qualitative study was designed to assess the impact of telehealth training during a behavioral health degree program on perceptions of providing telehealth services. Fifteen interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. A narrative inquiry approach was employed, allowing for the participants to use narrative story to describe and discuss experiences. Analysis revealed three themes: (1) facilitators for delivering telehealth services; (2) challenges encountered when delivering telehealth service; and (3) overall satisfaction with delivering telehealth services. Key facilitators for delivering telehealth services include training, intervention curriculum, and ongoing telehealth supervision. Barriers to telehealth service delivery included issues of telehealth operations and technology. Making telehealth training widely accessible, as opposed to a continuing education option, is essential to promoting the utilization of the treatment modality.