Will clients benefit more from telehealth vs in-person treatment? The pandemic changed many areas of our lives, including how we receive and provide mental health treatment. The sudden rise in tele-mental health naturally led research to ask whether client outcomes changed based on delivery method.
Despite the pandemic beginning four years ago, longitudinal research for client outcomes continues to provide reliable insight into client outcomes. So what do study results suggest for mid-term or long-term client care so far?
Results from multiple studies suggest no major difference in client outcome based on delivery method. One study showed continued comparable results in client attrition and decreasing depression in telehealth and in-person treatment. A meta-analysis revealed similar results for highly impacted conditions like substance abuse, eating disorders, and certain chronic conditions. These findings also continue to apply to applications including dual diagnosis intensive outpatient programs.
Pros: We can reach clients in more rural areas or who may have difficulty attending in-person sessions. Results suggest that this modality can successfully address a wide range of mental health conditions. And, maybe most convenient of all, clients and clinicians can attend sessions from home using this method!
Cons: This delivery method may not work for all mental health conditions. Certain mental health symptoms may be harder to notice in a virtual format. Current longitudinal studies are in the 3-5 year range, which leaves studies addressing 10-year or longer outcomes a ways off.
Results are pouring in for client outcomes based on treatment delivery method. So far, research reveals no major differences. While research with more participants and longer durations are necessary, findings appear to be promising for telehealth!
