Predicting a Rapid Transition to Telehealth-Delivered Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Amid COVID-19: A Mixed Methods...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Telehealth
• Evidence-Based Practice Implementation

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to telehealth for mental health services.
• Many therapists and organizations faced challenges in this transition.
• The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) framework guides implementation processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine factors predicting the transition to internet-based Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (iPCIT), a telehealth-delivered evidence-based practice (EBP).
• To investigate whether therapists transitioned to iPCIT and the speed of this transition.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study using surveys administered before and after stay-at-home orders.
• 324 therapists completed an initial survey on PCIT implementation; 223 completed a follow-up survey on telehealth transition, caseloads, training, and organizational factors.
• Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of iPCIT transition and rapid transition.

Main Results:

• The majority of therapists (82%) transitioned to iPCIT, with 48% transitioning in under a week.
• Therapists who did not transition cited client resource limitations, lack of training, and organizational delays.
• Caseload and iPCIT training predicted overall transition; organizational setting, resiliency, and baseline caseload predicted rapid transition.

Conclusions:

• Caseload and training are key factors for therapists transitioning to iPCIT.
• Organizational support, therapist resiliency, and initial caseload influence the speed of telehealth implementation.
• Findings offer implications for supporting the broader implementation of telehealth for EBPs.