Adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in Lebanon: a quantitative study

Mohtar, Layal, Badr, Nabil, Asmar, Michèle Kosremelli, Bou Orm, Ibrahim, Maalouf, Fadi T. and Haddad, Pierre El (2025) 'Adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in Lebanon: a quantitative study'. Discover Mental Health, Vol 5, Issue 1, p. 40.

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Abstract

Background
The rapid adoption of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic showcased its capacity to revolutionize healthcare by augmenting accessibility, decreasing expenses, and improving patient outcomes. This study evaluated Lebanon's preparedness for the implementation of tele-mental health, concentrating on identifying critical factors affecting its adoption by mental health experts.

Methods
A self-administered questionnaire was created and disseminated through email to mental health practitioners in Lebanon. The study employed the Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2) and utilized the Partial Least Squares- Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to provide a quantitative analysis of the determinants influencing the adoption of tele-mental health in psychiatric services.

Results
Among the 138 respondents including psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health nurses, 20% indicated they had never utilized telehealth for mental health services, whereas 54% had employed telehealth prior to the COVID-19 shutdown and expressed a desire to persist with its use. Furthermore, 19% utilized telehealth throughout the lockdown and continued its application, while 8% ceased its usage after the lockdown. The research revealed five primary factors affecting tele-mental health adoption: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, subjective norms, and job relevance.

Conclusion
This study highlights the significance of perceived usefulness, ease of use, perceived risk, subjective norm, and job relevance as essential factors influencing the uptake of tele-mental health services. Policymakers, healthcare administrators, and technology developers must concentrate on these criteria to optimize the introduction and sustainability of tele-mental health services in clinical practice, thereby ensuring enhanced mental health care delivery in Lebanon.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > W 83 Telemedicine (General) WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 305 Mental health of special population groups WM Psychiatry > WM 20 Research (General)
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00169-7
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	09 Apr 2025 08:28
Last Modified:	09 Apr 2025 08:28
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/26418

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