Abstract

OLIVEIRA-CARDOSO, Érika de; SANTOS, Jorge dos; SOLA, Pamela  and  SANTOS, Manoel Antônio dos. Difficulties perceived by brazilian psychologists in the transition from attending to online modality. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2022, vol.23, n.2, pp.551-559.  Epub Sep 30, 2022. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/22psd230226.

This study focuses on the experience of online therapy conducted on an emergency basis by Brazilian psychologists in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to understand the difficulties faced during the transition from face-to-face to online care. Data collection was conducted using an online form with 55 questions. The sample was composed of 385 Brazilian psychologists. The data were tabulated and analyzed qualitatively, using content analysis. The results were grouped into three categories: a) Psychologists who refused to endorse the change to the online format; b) Patient resistance to the change to the online modality; c) Specificities found in the children’s clinic. The professionals felt insecure in the transition, especially when attending cases considered severe. Most of those who attended children/adolescents chose not to offer online care to this clientele, and part of those who accepted this challenge met with resistance from their parents. The reasons given by patients for not accepting remote care were insecurity and lack of privacy in the home environment. We conclude that the first moments of the transition to online services aroused distrust and insecurity in both psychotherapists and patients. The results help to rethink psychology practices beyond traditional clinical models.

Keywords : Online therapy; Information technology; COVID-19; Pandemic; Psychologists; Health Professionals; Mental health.

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