IPROC iproc Iproceedings 2369-6893 JMIR Publications Toronto, Canada v8i1e39298 10.2196/39298 Abstract Abstract Telehealth Technology Competency and Difficulties in the Therapeutic Process Pagoto Sherry Hynes Kevin PhD 1
Purdue University Northwest 2200 169th St IBCC MFT Hammond, IN, 46323 United States 1 6122812109 hynes.kevinc@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1568-6757 Tambling Rachel 2 Bischoff Thomas 3 Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN United States University of Connecticut Storrs, CT United States Lotus Counseling Charlotte, NC United States Corresponding Author: Kevin Hynes hynes.kevinc@gmail.com Jan-Dec 2022 23 6 2022 8 1 e39298 5 5 2022 8 6 2022 ©Kevin Hynes, Rachel Tambling, Thomas Bischoff. Originally published in Iproceedings (https://www.iproc.org), 23.06.2022. 2022

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 Background

Telehealth therapy services increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and have the potential to shape service provision in the future. The growing body of research on telehealth services provides evidence of the efficacy of such services and the possibility for greater accessibility of counseling services for hard-to-reach clients. However, less is known regarding 2 unique processes of engaging in telehealth services, which are telehealth difficulties and perceived therapist telehealth competency.

 Objective

This study examines the factor structure of the following 2 new measures: the Telehealth Difficulties Scale and the Therapist Telehealth Competency Scale.

 Methods

Exploratory factor analyses were used with 223 participants who used telehealth services. Following this validation, these measures were tested with their association with the therapeutic alliance and therapy productiveness among clients of telehealth services using linear regressions.

 Results

The study found that both measures had a one-factor structure and predicted therapeutic alliance scores. In addition, telehealth competency predicted therapy productiveness.

 Conclusions

The implications for these results are discussed, and future directions are given.

 Conflict of Interest

None declared.

 telehealth technology therapy