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

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-men...

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Main Authors: Layal Mohtar, Nabil Badr, Michèle Kosremelli Asmar, Ibrahim Bou-Orm, Fadi T. Maalouf, Pierre El Haddad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-03-01
Series:Discover Mental Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00169-7
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author Layal Mohtar
Nabil Badr
Michèle Kosremelli Asmar
Ibrahim Bou-Orm
Fadi T. Maalouf
Pierre El Haddad
author_facet Layal Mohtar
Nabil Badr
Michèle Kosremelli Asmar
Ibrahim Bou-Orm
Fadi T. Maalouf
Pierre El Haddad
author_sort Layal Mohtar
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-3b2a1ea48b4846d2a6d16e903726be5f2025-08-20T03:41:46ZengSpringerDiscover Mental Health2731-43832025-03-015111910.1007/s44192-025-00169-7Adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in Lebanon: a quantitative studyLayal Mohtar0Nabil Badr1Michèle Kosremelli Asmar2Ibrahim Bou-Orm3Fadi T. Maalouf4Pierre El Haddad5Higher Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of BeirutHigher Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of BeirutHigher Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of BeirutHigher Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of BeirutDepartment of Psychiatry, American University of BeirutHigher Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of BeirutAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00169-7TelehealthTele mental healthMental healthTechnology adoptionUser acceptanceTAM2
spellingShingle Layal Mohtar
Nabil Badr
Michèle Kosremelli Asmar
Ibrahim Bou-Orm
Fadi T. Maalouf
Pierre El Haddad
Adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in Lebanon: a quantitative study
Discover Mental Health
Telehealth
Tele mental health
Mental health
Technology adoption
User acceptance
TAM2
title Adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in Lebanon: a quantitative study
title_full Adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in Lebanon: a quantitative study
title_fullStr Adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in Lebanon: a quantitative study
title_full_unstemmed Adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in Lebanon: a quantitative study
title_short Adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in Lebanon: a quantitative study
title_sort adoption of tele health technology in mental and psychiatric services in lebanon a quantitative study
topic Telehealth
Tele mental health
Mental health
Technology adoption
User acceptance
TAM2
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00169-7
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