Telehealth is a mode of service delivery that has been used in clinical settings for over 60 years and empirically studied for just over 20 years. Telehealth is not an intervention itself, but rather a mode of delivering services.” (Bashshur, Shannon, Bashshur, & Yellowlees,2016). “Implementation and use of telehealth as a mode of service delivery has been increasing in recent years. “Between 2016 and 2019, the use of telehealth doubled from 14 to 28 percent. This trend continued between 2019 and 2020, due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth visits for mental health increased by 556 percent between March 11 and April 22, 2020.” (Fernbach & Papapetros, 2022).

In January 2021, 41 percent of U.S. adults reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorders—a 30 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels. Given the long history of a shortage of mental health therapists, psychiatrists, and nurses in the healthcare field, there continues to be a problem with getting quick access to telehealth and face to face treatment. “It is our shared responsibility to ensure equal access to quality telehealth care for everyone. We can do that through improvements to telehealth workflow, staff training, and community resources.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify the current trends and practices of telehealth post covid pandemic era.
• To be aware of recent telehealth policies updates and impact on healthcare organizations. 9:45 a.m. to    10:30 a.m. (Video) Break- 10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
• · How to effectively plan your telehealth workflow in healthcare organizations. 10:45 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. – Group Activity
• To identify specific ways to set up telehealth visits and key communication skills healthcare providers must be effective in collaborating with clients. 11: 30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Lunch Break- 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• Why it is necessary to provide ongoing education to clients on telehealth technology and HIPAA laws based on their cultural and educational backgrounds. 12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
• Participants will explain why health equity in telehealth is necessary in meeting the needs of individuals in rural and underserved communities. 1:15 p.m. to 1: 45 p.m. (Video)
• To be familiar with key code of ethics from a cultural, educational, and technological perspective in a telehealth environment. 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Group Ethical Case Scenario Activity) Break- 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• To identify 2 to 3 current legal ramifications when treating clients in an online environment and solutions. 2:45 p.m. to 3:10 p.m.
• To identify community resources that are needed in telehealth to meet the needs of clients. (3:10 p.m. to 3:20 p.m.)
• Group Case Scenario Activity- 3:20 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
• Wrap Up and Q & A- 3:50 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Experiential Activities: The use of YouTube videos, case studies, and group activities around ethical issues in telehealth healthcare organizations will be utilized throughout this presentation.