In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many behavior analysts and other health professionals had to pivot from in-person services to telehealth. This transition was particularly crucial for those working with foster youth exhibiting challenging behaviors. A recent study, "Eight Months of Telehealth for a State-Funded Project in Foster Care and Related Services: Progress Made and Lessons Learned," provides valuable insights into this transition and offers actionable takeaways for practitioners.
Maintaining Service Quality Through Telehealth
The primary objective of the study was to evaluate how service indicators changed after shifting from in-person to telehealth services. The findings were promising:
- Service quality was maintained with a broad range of behavioral interventions.
- Overall client appointments increased.
This suggests that telehealth can be an effective medium for delivering behavioral services without compromising quality.
Overcoming Barriers
Transitioning to telehealth wasn't without its challenges. The study identified several barriers and proposed solutions:
- Technological Issues: Providing necessary equipment and training.
- Building Rapport: Engaging in virtual activities like online games and video sharing.
- Environmental Disruptions: Scheduling appointments during less busy times and using headphones.
By proactively addressing these barriers, practitioners can ensure a smoother transition to telehealth services.
Benefits of Telehealth
The study highlighted numerous benefits of telehealth:
- Increased flexibility in scheduling and more frequent appointments.
- Reduced travel time and costs, allowing more time for indirect and administrative tasks.
- Enhanced training opportunities for graduate students and caregivers.
These benefits indicate that telehealth can be a more efficient service delivery model for appropriate cases.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides a solid foundation, there is a need for further research to explore the unique possibilities of behavior-analytic interventions provided via telehealth. Future studies should evaluate:
- The effectiveness of telehealth in various behavior analytic interventions.
- Participant characteristics necessary for successful telehealth implementation.
- Caregiver prerequisites for implementing interventions remotely.
By expanding the research base, practitioners will have better resources to guide their implementation of telehealth services.
Conclusion
The shift to telehealth has shown that it is possible to maintain, and even enhance, service quality while overcoming various challenges. Practitioners are encouraged to consider telehealth as a viable option for delivering behavioral services and to continue exploring its potential through further research. To read the original research paper, please follow this link:
Eight Months of Telehealth for a State-Funded Project in Foster Care and Related Services: Progress Made and Lessons Learned.
