TY - JOUR
T1 - Patients’ experiences with tele-mental health services during COVID-19 in Pakistan
AU - Asad, Nargis
AU - Pirani, Shahina
AU - Osama, Khan
AU - Nadeem, Tania
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Authors 2024; Licensee: World Health Organization.
PY - 2024/4
Y1 - 2024/4
N2 - Background: Although the concept of telehealth is of great interest globally, its potential has not yet been realized in Pakistan. It is therefore essential to explore the perspectives of stakeholders on the technology, particularly for mental health, to be able to increase and improve its use. Aim: To assess the perceptions and experiences of patients receiving tele-mental health services, including telepsychiatry and tele-psychotherapy, in Pakistan. Methods: For this qualitative exploratory study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 49 individuals at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Using the Cresswell framework for content analysis, we identified 3 major themes that focused on the positive and negative aspects of tele-mental health services and made suggestions for enhancing them. Results: Twenty-six of the participants received telepsychiatry, while the remaining 23 received tele-psychotherapy services. Technical literacy, cost of consultation, privacy, and therapeutic alliance were the major challenges identified by the patients, while convenience and the absence of stigma were highlighted as key facilitators for tele-mental health. Tele-consultations reduced travel and waiting time, thus improving access to healthcare. Participants suggested that the processes for booking appointments and making payments should be streamlined and the cost of tele-consultation reduced. Conclusion: This study provides insightful findings on tele-mental health services from the perspectives of patients living in an Asian culture. The major benefits highlighted were destigmatization of mental health and elimination of commuting costs and travel time. There were concerns about privacy, therapeutic alliance and availability and affordability of the technology.
AB - Background: Although the concept of telehealth is of great interest globally, its potential has not yet been realized in Pakistan. It is therefore essential to explore the perspectives of stakeholders on the technology, particularly for mental health, to be able to increase and improve its use. Aim: To assess the perceptions and experiences of patients receiving tele-mental health services, including telepsychiatry and tele-psychotherapy, in Pakistan. Methods: For this qualitative exploratory study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 49 individuals at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Using the Cresswell framework for content analysis, we identified 3 major themes that focused on the positive and negative aspects of tele-mental health services and made suggestions for enhancing them. Results: Twenty-six of the participants received telepsychiatry, while the remaining 23 received tele-psychotherapy services. Technical literacy, cost of consultation, privacy, and therapeutic alliance were the major challenges identified by the patients, while convenience and the absence of stigma were highlighted as key facilitators for tele-mental health. Tele-consultations reduced travel and waiting time, thus improving access to healthcare. Participants suggested that the processes for booking appointments and making payments should be streamlined and the cost of tele-consultation reduced. Conclusion: This study provides insightful findings on tele-mental health services from the perspectives of patients living in an Asian culture. The major benefits highlighted were destigmatization of mental health and elimination of commuting costs and travel time. There were concerns about privacy, therapeutic alliance and availability and affordability of the technology.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Pakistan
KW - patients’ experiences
KW - tele-mental health
KW - tele-psychotherapy
KW - telepsychiatry
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85194257822&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.26719/2024.30.4.283
DO - 10.26719/2024.30.4.283
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85194257822
SN - 1020-3397
VL - 30
SP - 283
EP - 291
JO - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal
JF - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal
IS - 4
ER -