College student preferences of telepsychiatry

Abstract

Objective

To identify differences in preferences related to telepsychiatry among college students who have and have not been diagnosed with a mental health condition in the last year.

Participants

Students (n = 537) at a medium-sized Midwestern university (M_age = 21 years; 71% female).

Methods

A quantitative, causal-comparative design using an adapted version of the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). Differences in preferences among groups were analyzed by chi-square and Cramer’s V analyses with a 95% confidence interval.

Results

Students did not differ in their preferences or perceptions (confidentiality, time, cost, effectiveness) of face-to-face in-person compared to telecommunication treatment environments despite their mental health history. A majority of students (76%) would prefer seeing their regular provider if using telepsychiatry in the future.

Conclusions

Implementing a higher education telepsychiatry model, especially within college health centers, could help students’ access much-needed services while breaking down barriers such as transportation and wait lists.

Keywords:

• College students
• higher education
• mental health
• telehealth
• telepsychiatry

Conflict of interest disclosure

The author has no conflicts of interest to report. The author confirms the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the IRB of A.T. Still University and the study institution.

Additional information

Funding

Funding to administer the adapted NCHA survey was provided by a Minnesota Department of Human Services grant (#GRK%88025) and the study institution.