Veterans and Veteran family members experiencing mental health problems face significant barriers when accessing military culturally competent providers trained in evidence-based treatments (EBTs). Telehealth is a low-cost solution that may increase access. Ongoing evaluation is needed to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of this emerging practice among military members and their families. Accordingly, authors piloted a telehealth clinic in 2018-19 (before the COVID-19 pandemic). Clinicians in a U.S.-based non-Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic offered military culture informed EBTs (cognitive processing therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and the unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders) via telehealth to Veterans and Veteran family members. Self-report measures were used to assess psychological symptoms before and after treatment and one month post-treatment. Seventy-one percent of participants (Veteran or family member) completed treatment. Participants reported significant reductions in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress, and significantly increased physical and psychological quality of life following treatment. Treatment gains were maintained or improved after one month. Participants also reported high satisfaction with treatment and strong alliances with providers. Findings show promise for use of telehealth as a solution for connecting Veterans and Veteran family members to timely, high-quality, specialized care.
Coe et al. (Sun,) studied this question.