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Exploring the Perspectives of Canadian Clinicians Regarding Digitally Delivered Psychotherapies Utilized for Trauma-Affected Populations

Author

Listed:
  • Sidney Yap

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada
    Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada)

  • Rashell R. Allen

    (School of Clinical Child Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G5, Canada)

  • Katherine S. Bright

    (Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
    School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada
    Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada)

  • Matthew R. G. Brown

    (Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
    Department of Computing Science, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E8, Canada)

  • Lisa Burback

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada)

  • Jake Hayward

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada)

  • Olga Winkler

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada)

  • Kristopher Wells

    (Department of Child and Youth Care, Faculty of Health and Community Studies, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada)

  • Chelsea Jones

    (Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
    Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada)

  • Phillip R. Sevigny

    (Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
    Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G5, Canada)

  • Megan McElheran

    (Wayfound Mental Health Group, Calgary, AB T2R 1J5, Canada)

  • Keith Zukiwski

    (Haikei Health, Edmonton, AB T5W 3H1, Canada)

  • Andrew J. Greenshaw

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada)

  • Suzette Brémault-Phillips

    (Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
    Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada)

Abstract

Many clinical sites shifted towards digital delivery of mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is still much to learn regarding tailoring digitally delivered interventions for trauma-affected populations. The current study examined the perceptions of Canadian mental health clinicians who provided digitally delivered psychotherapies utilized for trauma-affected populations. Specifically, we explored the shift to digital health use, what changed with this rapid shift, what needs, problems, and solutions arose, and important future considerations associated with delivering trauma-focused and adjunct treatments digitally. Survey data were collected from 12 Canadian mental health clinician participants. Surveys were adapted from the Alberta Quality Matrix of Health and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. As a follow-up, the participants were invited to participate in either a semi-structured qualitative interview or focus group to further explore their perspectives on digitally delivered trauma-focused and adjunct therapies. Twenty-four clinician participants partook in an interview or focus group. The participants in this study supported the use of digitally delivered psychotherapies utilized for trauma-affected populations, sharing that these interventions appeared to offer similar quality of care to in-person delivery. Further research is required to address clinicians’ concerns with digital delivery (e.g., patient safety) and identify other avenues in which digitally delivered psychotherapies utilized for trauma-affected populations can be engaged with and improved upon.

Suggested Citation

  • Sidney Yap & Rashell R. Allen & Katherine S. Bright & Matthew R. G. Brown & Lisa Burback & Jake Hayward & Olga Winkler & Kristopher Wells & Chelsea Jones & Phillip R. Sevigny & Megan McElheran & Keith, 2025. "Exploring the Perspectives of Canadian Clinicians Regarding Digitally Delivered Psychotherapies Utilized for Trauma-Affected Populations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(1), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:1:p:81-:d:1563263
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