Telemedicine and mental health care of young adults during COVID-19: A qualitative study.

To examine barriers and facilitators to mental health care and use of telemedicine for university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key informant interviews of mental health clinicians in 1 university addressed the impact of COVID-19 on students' mental health, adoption of telemedicine, and general mental health care. Theoretical thematic analysis identified positive and negative effects on care. Interviews with 6 psychologists and 4 psychiatrists (50% of invitees;3 men and 7 women) highlighted social isolation and lifestyle restrictions as primary contributors to prevalent mood disorders. Telemedicine offered accessibility, safety, and efficiency but limitations included: technical problems;patient distraction;lack of confidentiality;compromised therapeutic alliance;and management of unstable patients. Lower-income students were described as commonly lacking peer support and an appropriate setting for telemedicine visits. Mental health clinicians described university students as commonly affected by mental health disorders. Telemedicine offered safer, accessible care but, for mental health care, was limited by lack of confidentiality, patient distraction, and care for unstable patients. Lower income patients were especially challenged by less peer support and privacy for telemedicine. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement Clinical Impact Statement-Study clinicians highlighted negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health that required rapid adoption of safe, accessible remote care via telemedicine. Yet for mental health, challenges with telemedicine require innovative strategies to promote patient engagement, foster a therapeutic alliance, and manage unstable patients remotely. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)