Acceptance of Telemental Health Among Practicing Filipino Psychologists: Basis for the PATH (Pinoy Acceptance of Telemental Health) Program
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67167/vertex.604Keywords:
telemental health, theory of planned behavior, Filipino Psychologists, explanatory sequential mixed-methods, hybrid modalityAbstract
Traditional face-to-face interventions remain the standard for establishing therapeutic trust: however, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemental health as a vital alternative, particularly in the Philippines where shortages of mental health professionals continue to limit access to care in underserved areas. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study surveyed 94 Filipino psychologists and conducted focus group discussions with seven participants to explore their acceptance levels regarding digital practice. Quantitative results revealed a "Moderate Acceptance" of telemental health across core TPB domains, specifically regarding Attitude (M=13.70), Perceived Behavioral Control (M=14.04), and Subjective Norms (M=14.57). Conversely, Behavioral Intention indicated a "High Acceptance" (M=15.23). Qualitative findings contextualized these scores, highlighting that while psychologists deeply value increased geographical accessibility and other benefits of telemental health, their systemic acceptance is heavily tempered by "practitioner fatigue," complex ethical concerns, and technological barriers like unstable internet connectivity. Consequently, participants favored a hybrid model that strategically merges virtual efficiency with the clinical depth of traditional in-person sessions. The study concludes that while Filipino psychologists exhibit a high baseline willingness to adopt telemental health, their operational confidence depends heavily on improved infrastructure and specialized skill development. To bridge this critical gap, this study proposes the Pinoy Acceptance of Telemental Health (PATH) Training Program. This tailored framework is designed to address identified ethical, technological, and practice-related challenges, thereby promoting the safe, responsible, and sustainable implementation of telemental health services in the Philippines while enhancing practitioner preparedness and supporting equitable access to quality care.
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