Patients’ perspectives on telemedicine in the encounter between healthcare and patients with mental illness: A systematic review

Background and objectives

This systematic review aimed to investigate the experiences and opinions of people with mental illness regarding the role of telemedicine in their treatment.

Methods

To be eligible, studies were required to include people between 18 and 65 years of age with mental illness, defined as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or personality disorder. It was further required that the patients’ experiences of the telehealth solutions were reported. Between April 5, 2020, and June 29, 2020 (renewed November 10, 2021), the CINAHL electronic database was searched. Using the OVID search engine, Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were likewise searched; gray literature was retrieved from Scopus. The included studies were critically appraised using the CASP checklists.

Results

Seventeen studies were included. Treatment provided via telehealth technology offered people with mental illness insights and skills that helped them cope better in everyday life. The patient—therapist relationship was improved where the parties collaborated. Furthermore, gaining control of one's mental health by using an app and following one's development empowered people with mental illness, leading to greater involvement in treatment.

Conclusions

Engaging people with mental illness in decisions concerning the use of telehealth technology is essential. It is likewise important that both people with mental illness and health professionals have access to help with the implementation of technology, and that telehealth solutions function as a supplement rather than a substitute for face-to-face treatment.