Telemental Health Services for Reaching Rural Victims of Crime

• In Event: NIJ Day: Improving Services for Victims of Crime

Abstract

This project involved a rigorous process evaluation of TeleFuturo—a comprehensive outpatient approach to working with rural victims of crime (VOCs), particularly those who identify as Hispanic/Latinx. The study focused on identifying critical therapeutic components of TeleFuturo and conducting a pilot study that assessed feasibility of capturing outcome, fidelity, and cost measures. Participants were n=303 VOCs who presented to a mental health center focused on interventions for VOCs. Participants also included provider perspectives on intervention components. Results indicated clinically meaningful improvements over time in mental health symptoms among VOCs who received TeleFuturo services. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the convenience and accessibility of telehealth interventions. The fidelity assessment revealed important components needed for appropriately capturing fidelity in contexts with complex mental health presentations and complex intervention delivery. This resulted in high adherence to the established protocols, indicating the consistent delivery of services in ways that prioritized the safety and privacy of clients. Cost analysis demonstrated hybrid and telehealth services were less expensive than traditional in-person mental health services and generated revenue for the organizations. Technology based victim-centered TeleFuturo services are accessible, affordable, empowering and nonstigmatizing for VOCs living in rural areas. Directions for next steps for research are discussed.

Author

• Lissette Saavedra, RTI International