COMMENTARY
Rapid telepsychology deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic: A special issue commentary and lessons from primary care psychology training
Paul B. Perrin,
Bruce D. Rybarczyk,
Bradford S. Pierce,
Heather A. Jones,
Carla Shaffer,
Leila Islam,
Corresponding Author
Paul B. Perrin
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Correspondence Paul B. Perrin, Health Psychology, Departments of Psychology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorBruce D. Rybarczyk
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorBradford S. Pierce
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorHeather A. Jones
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorCarla Shaffer
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorLeila Islam
Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorPaul B. Perrin,
Bruce D. Rybarczyk,
Bradford S. Pierce,
Heather A. Jones,
Carla Shaffer,
Leila Islam,
Corresponding Author
Paul B. Perrin
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Correspondence Paul B. Perrin, Health Psychology, Departments of Psychology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 842018, Richmond, VA 23284-2018.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorBruce D. Rybarczyk
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorBradford S. Pierce
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorHeather A. Jones
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorCarla Shaffer
Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorLeila Islam
Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Objective
This article positions the special issue on telepsychology amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which has dramatically accelerated the adoption and dissemination of telepsychology.
Method
The article makes general observations about the themes emerging in the special issue with considerations for application, training, theory-driven research, and policy. It then presents as a case example the rapid deployment during the pandemic of telepsychology doctoral training and services at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Primary Care Psychology Collaborative.
Results
Facilitators to VCU telepsychology deployment included trainee and supervisor resources, strong telepsychology training, and prior experience. Barriers to overcome included limited clinic capacity, scheduling, technology, and accessibility and diversity issues. Lessons learned involved presenting clinical issues, supervision, and working with children and adolescents.
Conclusions
Telepsychology is crucial for psychological service provision, during the COVID-19 pandemic more than ever, and that is unlikely to change as psychologists and patients increasingly continue to appreciate its value.
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