Survey: One in two people think online psychotherapy is useful
Published: Thursday, May 23rd 2024, 06:20
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Online psychotherapy sessions with specialists could potentially alleviate some of the tense situation in surgeries and hospitals. In a representative survey, 49% of Swiss people rated this form of online counseling as useful or very useful.
According to the study published on Thursday by Intervista on behalf of the health insurer Sanitas, 50 percent of people consider online therapy to be an option for bridging waiting times for treatment with a therapist. The most important usage criterion was that online therapy should be offered by specialists with a recognized qualification.
In contrast, the other half felt that online therapies were not human enough due to the lack of personal contact. Online treatment services without a specialist were rated the worst.
According to the survey, online self-tests on mental health and digital tools to strengthen mental health were also well received: just under 50 percent of respondents could imagine using such services.
Controversial assumption of costs
Respondents were divided on the question of who should cover the costs of online consultations with specialists, for example. Around a third were of the opinion that they should pay for the therapies themselves. A further third stated that the costs should be covered by supplementary health insurance and a third were of the opinion that compulsory health insurance should cover the costs.
The mental health of many people in Switzerland is suffering. Specialist organizations are reporting a sharp increase in demand for therapy places, especially for young people. Waiting times at surgeries and hospitals are sometimes weeks to months.
The representative online survey in all language regions was conducted in January 2024. The sample comprised 2009 people.
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