BMC Public Health. 2025 Nov 6;25(1):3817. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-25235-1.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mental health specialist video consultations (MHSVC) offer a promising way to address the growing burden of depression and anxiety. However, their acceptance among groups with lower mental health care uptake and limited technology literacy remains underexamined.
OBJECTIVE: This study explores how underrepresented patients-elderly, rural, and male individuals with depression or anxiety-experience and accept MHSVC after participating in PROVIDE-C, a randomized trial evaluating a five-session MHSVC intervention in primary care.
METHODS: A qualitative interview study in rural Germany used inductive content analysis and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). TAM suggests that perceived usefulness and ease of use influence technology adoption.
RESULTS: Among 21 PROVIDE-C participants, attitudes toward MHSVC were largely positive. Patients found the intervention useful for therapeutic alliance, symptom relief, and treatment measures, with many preferring continued sessions. Prior mental health care experience and strong primary care relationships increased acceptance. Some patients, already familiar with videoconferencing due to COVID-19, adapted easily, while those with lower technology literacy relied on technical support in primary care to engage with MHSVC for the first time.
CONCLUSIONS: Embedding MHSVC in primary care enhances access for patients hesitant about mental health treatment or unfamiliar with digital tools. The PROVIDE model effectively reaches underserved populations, namely elderly, rural patients, improving access to specialized care and reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, as evidenced by its demonstrated effectiveness.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, United States National Institutes of Health NCT04316572. Prospectively, registered on 20 March 2020.
PMID:41199204 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-25235-1
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