Covid-19 intensified public demand for telehealth services in child psychiatry. The shift towards online services raised concerns related to safety and quality of services.

The objective of the study was to explore outcomes and perceptions regarding psychiatric telehealth services from the patients’ and professionals’ perspectives.

Survey and questionnaires were the main methods to collect feedback after 1129 sessions conducted by psychiatrists and psychotherapists for 559 young patients in 2020.

Overall, patients/caregivers were generally satisfied with the quality of services, despite some technical issues and limitations of the platform. The most common outcomes of the sessions were: psychotherapy, in-depth assessment, pharmacotherapy, in-patient treatment, referrals for in-person appointments with other specialists, parenting strategies. Professionals gave more positive feedback on telehealth services after a few months of practice and training. Psychiatrists preferred conducting telehealth appointments for the patients they have previously seen in-person. The most common diagnosis were various neurodevelopmental disorders (48,9%), as well as patients within F84.0-F84.5 27,9%, and F84.8 (19,8%). Identification challenges, confidentiality and safety maintenance were among the top concerns for mental health workers. Specific guidelines for caregivers helped to use the appointment time effectively, prevent some technical and organizational issues and decrease negative effects of limited communication capabilities during a telehealth appointment.

Telehealth services in psychiatry are meeting real needs of patients, caregivers and professionals, and require further development. Proper training for professionals and clear guidelines for caregivers are among the key factors that enhance the quality of services.

Collaboration between psychiatrists and psychologists (counsellors) is one of the key factors impacting efficiency of services in child and youth mental health. Despite the clear benefits, a teamwork approach is still limited and has some difficulties.

The objective of the study was to explore potential barriers in the collaboration between professionals with different backgrounds.

Anonymous online survey for staff from various mental health clinics across Russia was completed by 142 psychologists and 70 psychiatrists (Σ =212).

77.7% participants reported that collaboration is helpful in adult mental health services; 91.3% see partnership as an essential part of child and youth mental health. 61.6% specialists work together; 44.7% described it as a successful experience. At the same time 58.4% believe that pharmacological treatment should start first, and counselling may be postponed. 49.5% believe that doctors often diminish the importance of counselling. Fears and biases towards psychiatrists were reported by 28.9% of the sample. 25.4% participants reported lack of trust and limited understanding of counselling methods. Top barriers for collaboration that were reported: lack of opportunities on an organizational level (20% doctors and 45% psychologists), unclear professional boundaries and responsibilities (28.5% doctors and 15.4% psychologists), lack of motivation (20% doctors and 7% psychologists), lack of positive experience (11.2% psychologist and 0% doctors). The main reported benefit of collaboration by 39.6% was improved compliance and better treatment outcomes.

In order to make collaboration among mental health professional more efficient, there is a need to address the barriers listed above.