Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42328379›Full record

ArticleJournal of education and health promotion2026

The utility of telepsychology in health care: A qualitative exploration of psychologists' experiences from Oman.

Tamadhir Al-Mahrouqi, Ahmed AlHarthi, Kamila Al-Alawi, Hamed Al Sinawi, Asila Al-Zaabi, Amira Al Obeidani, Fatma Al Balushi, Mohammed Al-Alawi

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Article in Journal of education and health promotion, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Tamadhir Al-MahrouqiDepartment of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
Ahmed AlHarthiDepartment of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
Kamila Al-AlawiDepartment of Medical Education, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Muscat, Oman.
Hamed Al SinawiDepartment of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
Asila Al-ZaabiPsychiatry Addiction Department, Muscat Taafi Center, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman.
Amira Al ObeidaniDepartment of Psychiatry, Al Masarra Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman.
Fatma Al BalushiDepartment of Psychiatry, Al Masarra Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman.
Mohammed Al-AlawiDepartment of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWorldwide, telepsychology has become a growing area of interest, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature supports its role in overcoming barriers and enhancing access to mental care; however, its usage in maintaining therapy is yet to be explored in Oman. This study explored psychologists' experiences providing telepsychology, with a primary focus on the utility of this approach. MATERIAL AND

methodsThis qualitative study involved five psychologists who practice telepsychology in their daily clinics. Semistructured interviews were conducted to explore the experiences with the tele-service provided at Al-Massarah Hospital, a tertiary care mental health hospital. The data were comprehended using thematic analysis.

resultsThe study revealed six main themes: supportive therapeutic advances, dual service delivery opportunities, sustained attendance, resolved geographical concerns, training opportunities, and individualized options. The psychologists reported significant benefits of telepsychology, primarily in maintaining therapeutic goals and preventing relapse of symptoms. Most of them revealed that it effectively enhances mental healthcare accessibility by overcoming geographical, financial, and logistical barriers. However, a few preferred face-to-face sessions due to the richness of nonverbal communication. Telepsychology has demonstrated considerable acceptance and attendance due to clients' comfort and convenience, but more importantly, it offers flexible options tailored to clients' needs, ultimately leading to optimal outcomes.

conclusionThis study supports the existing literature on addressing barriers to mental care access and optimizing clients' outcomes in Oman. Policymakers could consider thoughtful investments in continuous professional training for psychologists in hybrid care methods and the evolving modalities of telepsychology.

Indexed as

Mental disordersmental health servicesOmanpsychologistspsychotherapyremote consultationtelemedicine

Identifiers

PMID42328379
PMCPMC13278594

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.