This study explored provider perspectives on telehealth behavioral health treatments in rural North Carolina.
To inform ongoing and future implementation of telehealth, particularly among Hispanic/Latinx rural populations, researchers gathered provider perspectives from a North Carolina nonprofit organization that provides and advances behavioral health treatment for rural residing Spanish-speaking individuals and families. Providers completed a semistructured interview and repeated qualitative monthly survey on implementation “peaks and valleys” to describe challenges encountered and strategies enacted related to recruitment and accessibility, privacy, data systems and internal infrastructure, therapeutic process, and reimbursement. A rapid qualitative analysis approach was conducted to identify and organize themes across all provider interviews and qualitative surveys. Key themes around telehealth implementation were identified across three main categories: (a) establishing technology-based infrastructure, (b) maintaining provider engagement, and (c) maintaining client engagement. Implications for future telehealth implementation are discussed. Provision of behavioral health care in the United States has long been subject to a range of systemic and structural barriers impacting availability, access, and acceptability, particularly in rural settings. Telehealth is one way to facilitate access and continuity of care for all individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. (Published Abstract Provided)