Background: Although group-based intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a level of care commonly utilized by adults with serious mental illness, few studies have examined the acceptability of group-based IOPs that required rapid transition to a telemental health (TMH) format during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction and future recommendations for a group-based IOP that was transitioned to a TMH format during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A 17-item patient satisfaction questionnaire was completed by patients at discharge and covered 3 areas: IOP TMH satisfaction, future recommendations, and video technology challenges. Descriptive and content analyses were conducted for the quantitative and open-ended questions, respectively.
Results: A total of 76 patients completed the program in 2020. A subset of patients (n=40, 53%) responded to the survey at program discharge. The results indicated that the patients were satisfied overall with the TMH program format; 50% (n=20) of the patients preferred the program continue offering the TMH format, and the rest preferred returning to in-person formats after the pandemic. The patients indicated the elements of the program that they found most valuable and provided recommendations for future program improvement.
Conclusions: Overall, adults with serious mental illness reported high satisfaction with the group-based IOP delivered via TMH. Health care systems may want to consider offering both TMH and in-person formats regardless of the state of the pandemic. Patients' feedback on future improvements should be considered to help ensure long-term success.
Keywords: COVID-19; intensive outpatient; patient satisfaction; telemedicine; telemental health; telepsychiatry; teletherapy.
©Michelle K Skime, Ajeng J Puspitasari, Melanie T Gentry, Dagoberto Heredia Jr, Craig N Sawchuk, Wendy R Moore, Monica J Taylor-Desir, Kathryn M Schak. Originally published in JMIR Mental Health (https://mental.jmir.org), 28.01.2022.