Staff experiences with videoconferences during the COVID-19 pandemic in forensic psychiatry outpatients

Aim: To describe staff experiences with the use of videoconferences with forensic psychiatric outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Semi-structured interviews with staff at forensic community services in the Region of Southern Denmark. Results: Nine semi-structured staff interviews were conducted. Two main themes were identified through thematic analysis: Challenges due to technical uncertainty and the Use of videoconferences as support in clinical assessment and treatment. The second main theme also included a number of subthemes: Lack of opportunity for observation of a patient’s overall situation; Compromise of nurses’ professionalism; Limitation of disturbing stimuli means more focus on the conversation; Telephone contact vs. video contact—pros and cons; Expectations reflect attitudes; and Will professionalism be changed based on organizational and political perspectives? Conclusion: Staff opinions on use of videoconferences in psychiatric patients differed. The nurses in particular were concerned about whether professionalism could be maintained. Others experienced patients focusing more on the conversation when it took place via video because there were fewer disturbing elements. In general, expectations seem to influence attitudes toward using videoconferences.