Program Evaluation of Telemental Health Services

Abstract

Rural and underserved mental health patients face challenges of low income, decreased transportation and shortage of mental health providers (Carpenter-Song & Snell-Rood, 2017; Weinhold & Gurtner, 2014). Telementalhealth (TMH) or telepsychiatry is a technology that enables patients to see a live provider at distance, which assists in medication management, therapy and assessments (Chan, Parish, & Yellowlees, 2015). The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project is to conduct a program evaluation of patient and parental satisfaction TMH services at Horizon Health and Wellness. In this program evaluation, parents and adults (N=111) participated in the 5-point Likert scale surveys with one open ended question on TMH services. Results of the surveys indicate that parents and adults prefer in person psychiatric care compared to TMH services, however, there are high levels of TMH satisfaction. Participants who struggle with transportation and patients who are 60 and over, they are highly interested in home TMH services. The suggestion is to implement a home TMH service program, which will improve no show rates, patient outcomes and help those who struggle with transportation and immobility issues.