Responding to disruption: Exploring the transition to telehealth in mental-health occupational therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background COVID-19 presented significant challenges for occupational therapy (OT) services in Ireland. Public health guidelines necessitated a transition of services from face-to-face delivery to the use of telehealth modalities. Telehealth has yet to be extensively researched within mental health OT, with a particular need for an increased understanding of therapeutic processes when conducted remotely. Aim To explore the experiences of occupational therapists transitioning to telehealth service provision. Material and Methods This study employed a qualitative, descriptive design to examine the experiences of therapists transitioning from face-to-face to telehealth services within a mental health service. Data was collected using comprehensive, semi-structured interviews with four participants and analysed thematically. Results This study yielded three major themes: 1) responding to disruption, 2) reconsidering practice with technology and 3) therapeutic use of the ‘virtual self’. Conclusions Adaptation to telehealth provision requires planned, gradual transition but offers unique opportunities for therapeutic engagement. How space is considered in therapy as well as therapists’ communication styles are components of practice which are altered when conducted remotely. Significance The disruption caused by COVID-19 presented opportunities for considering the delivery of OT services. As services emerge from social restrictions it is likely that their recent experiences will be utilised in reconfiguring the future delivery of mental-health OT services.