Professional stakeholders' perceptions of barriers to behavioral health care following pediatric traumatic brain injury. (21st March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miley, Aimee E.; Elleman, Chloe B.; Chiu, Rachel Y.; Moscato, Emily L.; Fisher, Allison P.; Slomine, Beth S.; Kirkwood, Michael W.; Baum, Katherine T.; Walsh, Kathleen E.; Wade, Shari L.
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 36:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 536
• Page End: 543
• Publication Date: 2022-03-21
• Subjects: Pediatric -- traumatic brain injury -- professional stakeholders -- behavioral health care -- telepsychology; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2034956
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: To examine professional stakeholders' perspectives of barriers to behavioral health care (BHC) follow-up and telepsychology after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Twenty-nine professionals participated in a focus group (FG) or key informant interview (KII) between January and March 2020. Professionals answered questions about facilitators and barriers to BHC follow-up and telepsychology. Given widespread telepsychology implementation since COVID-19, a follow-up survey assessing telehealth perceptions since the pandemic was sent out in December 2020. Nineteen professionals completed the survey. Results: Professionals identified individual (e.g., family factors, insurance coverage/finances, transportation/distance, availability, planning follow-up care) and system-level (e.g., lack of access to BHC providers) barriers to BHC post-injury. Possible solutions, like collaborative follow-up care, were also identified. Generally, clinical professionals have favorable impressions of telepsychology and utilized services as a delivery modality for clinical care. Though telepsychology could reduce barriers to care, professionals also expressed concerns (e.g., technology issues, security/safety) and challenges (e.g., funding, accessibility, training/licensure for clinicians) with implementing telepsychology. Conclusion: Barriers identified highlight the need for context-specific solutions to increase BHC access, with telepsychology generally recognized as a beneficial modality for BHC. Future work should continue to focus on understanding barriers to BHC and potential solutions after pediatric TBI.