Service Users Experience in the Use of Tele-Psychiatry in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in NHS Orkney

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Near Me is a tele-psychiatry platform for conducting video consultation appointment in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in NHS Orkney (NHSO). This model of consultation was introduced in NHSO CAMHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. The performance in offering effective clinical intervention in the domains of quality of care will determined through the experiences of both users and providers of care in this respect. To assess the perception and experiences of service users (clinicians, patients and their families) on the use of Near Me in NHS Orkney Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services by applying the domains of quality of care as a measure. To enable all stakeholders (policy planners, users and providers) to identify gaps and barriers in the use of Near Me and to inform change in practice. METHODS: A survey was developed using the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire which is a validated tool to generate responses on the key domains of quality of care measures of appropriateness, reliability, access, timeliness, usefulness, effectiveness, interaction, quality, efficiency, safety, satisfaction and possibility of future use for both users and providers of care. The survey was made available on social media platforms including websites and online adverts for clinicians, patients and their families in Orkney to complete for a period for 10 weeks. RESULTS: 28 responses were received with 14 completed responses (6 staffs & 8 patients and families) and 14 uncompleted responses (4 staffs and 10 patients & families). A mean rank test was applied to appropriately evaluate the responses received. Over 50% of respondents show high level of satisfaction in the use of tele-psychiatry services in all domains of quality of care in Orkney NHS CAMHS. Access, timeliness and safety are highly positively rated by both clinicians and service users. Improvement in network connections, improved coordination and understanding of technology will enhance the service. Better understanding of the handling of technical problems in tele-psychiatry services should be addressed Reduction of in-person interactions was identified by some respondents as concern. CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION: Tele-psychiatry is highly useful and accepted as revealed by the survey but network connections for the Near me platform needs to be improved. Face to face consultations should not be discounted and should be available where possible for better engagement. As the first survey of the use of tele-psychiatry in NHS Orkney, this study will serve to establish a baseline for future evaluation of tele psychiatry services in NHS Orkney CAMHS.