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Acceptability of Telemedicine Features to Promote Its Uptake in Practice: A Survey of Community Telemental Health Providers

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  • Brian E. Bunnell

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
    Doxy.me, LLC, Rochester, NY 14623, USA)

  • Janelle F. Barrera

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
    Doxy.me, LLC, Rochester, NY 14623, USA)

  • Samantha R. Paige

    (Doxy.me, LLC, Rochester, NY 14623, USA)

  • Dylan Turner

    (Doxy.me, LLC, Rochester, NY 14623, USA)

  • Brandon M. Welch

    (Doxy.me, LLC, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
    Biomedical Informatics Center, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29403, USA)

Abstract

Understanding what motivates mental health providers to use telemedicine (i.e., telemental health) is critical for optimizing its uptake, especially during unprecedented times (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic). Drawing from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this report examined the characteristics of telemental health providers and how the acceptability of telemedicine features contributes to their intention to use the technology more often in practice. Telemental health providers ( N = 177) completed an online survey between March and May 2019. Most providers (75%) spent less than 25% of their work-week using telemedicine, but 70% reported an intention to use telemedicine more in the future. The belief that telemedicine affords greater access to patients, work-life balance, flexibility in providing care, and the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovative care were significant predictors of intentions to use the technology more in the future. Other significant predictors included needing assistance to coordinate insurance reimbursements, manage a successful telemedicine practice, and integrate the telemedicine program with other health IT software. Findings have important implications for increasing the frequency of telemedicine use among telemental health providers. Future research and practice should leverage providers’ positive beliefs about telemedicine acceptability and consider their needs to enhance its uptake.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian E. Bunnell & Janelle F. Barrera & Samantha R. Paige & Dylan Turner & Brandon M. Welch, 2020. "Acceptability of Telemedicine Features to Promote Its Uptake in Practice: A Survey of Community Telemental Health Providers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8525-:d:446441
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Birama Apho Ly & Ronald Labonté & Ivy Lynn Bourgeault & Mbayang Ndiaye Niang, 2017. "The individual and contextual determinants of the use of telemedicine: A descriptive study of the perceptions of Senegal's physicians and telemedicine projects managers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, July.
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