In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CSC programs have had to modify their services to meet the overwhelming needs of participants and family members. This presentation will provide information, strategies, and suggestions for CSC programs using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on three key areas: (1) common challenges that CSC teams have reported during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) innovative strategies and solutions from CSC programs to enhance engagement in treatment and telehealth; and (3) suggested telehealth modifications and cultural adaptations to respond to the needs of racially and ethnically diverse populations. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, CSC programs have experienced challenges associated with the shift to telehealth and the increased and changing needs of participants. These challenges include difficulties maintaining engagement, participant experiences of increased loneliness and boredom, reports of increases in symptoms and case management needs, and new procedures and protocols to provide ongoing CSC treatment. CSC teams across the world have shared their perspectives on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their ability to provide treatment, and the ongoing concerns of adapting CSC evidence-based interventions from an in-person to a telehealth format. 

In response to the pandemic, CSC programs both nationally and internationally have developed strategies to use telehealth in the delivery of treatment. This presentation will focus on providing suggestions, adaptations, and considerations for implementing the CSC treatment model using telehealth delivery methods. Suggestions will include specific strategies for individual therapy, family education, psychopharmacological treatment, peer support, and case management. Many programs have developed innovative solutions to address the unique needs of participants returning to work or school, managing symptoms, engaging and integrating family members in treatment, and avoiding relapses. This presentation will describe strategies CSC teams have used to minimize disruptions in care and expand the use of telehealth services including zoom groups, skills demonstration and practice, integrating family members in treatment, and using interactive materials. 

 Finally, the presentation will focus on improving engagement using telehealth services for persons from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Suggestions will include strategies to adapt interventions for a telehealth delivery format and considerations to culturally tailor an intervention.

Format

Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity with post-test.

This presentation was recorded on November 13, 2020 at the virtual conference, Third National Conference on Advancing Early Psychosis Care in the United States: Addressing Inequities - Race, Culture, and COVID. 

Learning Objectives

• Describe the common challenges associated with delivering telehealth services in a CSC program.
• Identify strategies that can be integrated into CSC interventions to improve engagement in telehealth services.
• List some telehealth modifications and cultural adaptation suggestions to improve engagement with persons from diverse backgrounds.

Outline

• Impact of pandemic on core CSC services
• Suggested strategies to address challenges
• Improving approaches to telehealth
• Addressing the telehealth needs of diverse communities and individuals

Target Audience

Psychologists, Social Workers, and Other Mental Health Professionals

Instructional Level

Introductory, Intermediate

Estimate Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hour
Program Start Date: May 3, 2021 
Program End Date: May 3, 2024

How to Earn Credit

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, CE credit for psychologists, CE credit for social workers, or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course, including viewing the full video (≥60 minutes) and submitting an evaluation. A multiple-choice quiz is provided based on the content. A passing score of 75% must be achieved. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians), CE certificate (psychologists), CE certificate (social workers), or certificate of participation (other disciplines) showing the completion date and hours/credits earned.

Continuing Education Credit

Physicians

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Psychologists

The American Psychiatric Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. American Psychiatric Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Social Workers 

American Psychiatric Association, provider #1743, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. American Psychiatric Association maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 05/18/2020 – 05/18/2021 and 05/18/2021-05/18/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 (clinical) continuing education credits.

Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Many state boards grant reciprocity with national accrediting organizations and other state boards. It is the responsibility of each professional to understand the requirements for license renewal or check with the state or national licensing board and/or professional organization to become more familiar with their policies for acceptable continuing education credit. Social workers and Psychologists should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

Instructor

• Piper Meyer-Kalos, Ph.D., L.P., holds her doctoral degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Psychology from Purdue University, Indianapolis, Ind. Dr. Meyer-Kalos has specialized in psychiatric rehabilitation and treatment for first episode psychosis with interests in recovery, positive psychology, and psychosocial treatment for people with severe mental illness. Since 2009, Dr. Meyer-Kalos has been part of the psychosocial development team of the Recovery After Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) project and has co-led the individual therapy component (Individual Resiliency Training). Dr. Meyer-Kalos' current research includes an evaluation of four first episode psychosis programs in Minnesota and the national Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET). Dr. Meyer-Kalos discloses the following relationships: Consultant: NAVIGATE-Individual Resiliency Training intervention Mental Health Best Practices

Program Planners

• Steven Adelsheim, M.D. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Catherine Adams, L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W., C.A.A.D.C. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Susan T. Azrin, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Iruma Bello, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Gary Michael Blau, M.S., Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Teri S. Brister, Ph.D., L.P.C.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Nybelle An-Vi Caruso, B.S.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Amy N. Cohen, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Robert O. Cotes, M.D.  Dr. Cotes discloses the following relationships: Consultant: Saladax Biomedical, American Psychiatric Association Grant/Research: Ostuka, Lundbeck, Roche, Alkermes
• Judith Dauberman, M.A., Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Steven P. Dettwyler, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Lisa B. Dixon, M.D., M.P.H.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Melissa Edmondson Smith, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Chantel Garrett. Ms. Garrett discloses the following relationships: Stock: Invitae, stockholder Livongo, stockholder Color, private equity holder Consultant: Maine Health Northwell Health One Mind Grant/Research: One Mind National Institute of Health
• Tristan Gorrindo, M.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Kate Hardy, ClinPsych.D.  Ms. Hardy discloses the following relationships: Consultant: SME for Click Therapeutics
• Robert K. Heinssen, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Brian Hepburn, M.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Patrick Kaufmann, B.S.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Sherin Khan, L.C.S.W. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Steven R. Lopez, Ph.D. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Ted Lutterman.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Tushita Mayanil, M.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Ryan Melton, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Oladunni Oluwoye , Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Abram Rosenblatt, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• David L. Shern, Ph.D.  Dr. Shern discloses the following relationships: Grant/Research: Through my employment at NASMHPD, I co-chair the dissemination function of the Early Psychosis Intervention network as part of the national data coordinating center at Westat. Westat was awarded the coordinating center grant by NIMH Other: serve on the Board of Livanta

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