Therapists’ Perspectives on Access to Telemental Health Among Medicaid-Enrolled Youth

AJMC November 10, 2023
Janet R. Cummings, PhD, Terah Kalk, MPH, Sarah Trello, MPH, Elizabeth Reisinger Walker, PhD, MPH, MAT, Ilana Graetz, PhD

This qualitative study elucidates therapists’ perspectives on barriers to and facilitators of access to telemental health among Medicaid-enrolled youth served by a large safety-net organization.

ABSTRACT

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated risk for poor mental health (MH) outcomes among youth from low-income families and propelled a shift to telemental health. Yet, little is known about barriers to and facilitators of MH care access when services are delivered via synchronous telehealth to Medicaid-enrolled youth.

Study Design: Between December 2020 and March 2021, we conducted in-depth interviews with 19 therapists from a large safety-net organization who served Medicaid-enrolled youth (< 18 years of age) to elucidate their perspectives on barriers to and facilitators of access to telemental health services among this population.

Methods:...

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