title: Examination of prior experience with telehealth and comfort with telehealth technology as a moderator of treatment response for PTSD and depression in veterans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Telehealth is a method to expand the reach of clinical care for PTSD treatment. However, those with limited prior exposure to telehealth or limited confidence using telehealth may have poorer treatment response. The present study examined familiarity with telehealth as a moderator of treatment response for a behavioral treatment delivered via telehealth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-nine combat veterans completed eight sessions of exposure-based treatment via telehealth. Familiarity with telehealth and confidence in the technology were assessed at baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PTSD and depression symptoms decreased as a result of treatment administered via telehealth. Familiarity with the technology and confidence in the technology were unrelated to symptom change. The lack of a significant relation was maintained after controlling for age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceptions of telehealth are unrelated to outcomes for mental health treatment. Clinicians should be confident in using this approach with patients, regardless of their familiarity or comfort with the technology.
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont, Burlington.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Price
authors.affiliation: Ralph H. Johnson, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Gros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: PTSD; evidence-based psychotherapy; posttraumatic stress disorder; telehealth; telemedicine; telemental health; veterans