Evaluation of virtual care and telepsychiatry at a community mental health clinic

Carvery, Sally (2021) Evaluation of virtual care and telepsychiatry at a community mental health clinic. Practicum Report. Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (466kB)

Abstract

Background: The motivation for this practicum project was in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and changes in healthcare delivery. For the first time, virtual care was approved as an appropriate modality of treatment at a Community Mental Health Clinic (CMHC). Both clinicians and consumers of service were faced with a significant transition of care from in-person appointments to exclusively virtual care. From that, a service evaluation survey was deemed important to gather feedback and gain understanding of the overall virtual care experience at a CMHC. Objective: The main objectives of the practicum project were to develop advanced nursing competencies, and to contribute to the CMHC and overall mental health program, by providing meaningful feedback of virtual care. Methods: The service evaluation project consisted of three key elements; the integrative literature review, consultations with key stakeholders, and the service evaluation survey. Results: The literature was favorable of virtual care across a variety of settings and populations. The consultation process helped to target key areas of interest in the evaluation survey. The results from the evaluation survey were supportive of continuing with virtual care, as participants reported having strong connections and high comfort levels with telehealth treatment. Conclusions: The practicum project was a timely and relevant project that provided insight into virtual care at a CMHC, and provided recommendations to improve overall mental health treatment and satisfaction levels for both clinicians and consumers of service.

Actions (login required)

View Item