Feasibility and acceptability of a virtual partial hospitalization program for adolescents.

OCTOBER, 2024

New research shows that virtual PHP is feasible and acceptable to families with higher daily attendance than comparable in-person programming

Abstract

Use of telehealth to deliver mental health services has increased in recent years, but research on the virtual delivery of acute levels of mental health care, including partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), is still scarce. The current study investigates the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual PHP for adolescents. Chart review and self-report data were obtained from a sample of N = 97 adolescents admitted to a virtual PHP between October 2021 and June 2023, and from a comparison sample of N = 182 adolescents admitted to the same hospital’s in-person PHP during the same time period. Adolescents were aged 12–18 years (M = 14.95, SD = 1.42), identified as predominantly non-Hispanic White (64.5%), and were relatively diverse in terms of gender identity (48.4% female, 31.2% male, 20.4% trans or gender nonconforming). The virtual and in-person programs were compared using t tests, a chi-square test, and an analysis of variance. Results showed the virtual PHP had higher attendance rates than the in-person PHP, including higher daily program attendance by adolescents and higher family meeting attendance by caregivers. Program satisfaction and treatment motivation were similarly high for adolescents discharging from both programs. Finally, among patients in the virtual PHP, perceptions of virtual therapy quality and virtual therapy convenience improved from admission to discharge. Overall, results support the feasibility and acceptability of virtual PHPs and suggest unique benefits of delivering intensive mental health care virtually. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)