What we looked at
Our team from Karolinska, WeMind Psykiatri, Gothenburg University and Stockholm University analyzed data from 2,290 outpatients treated between 2017 and 2022. Using standardized patient‑reported measures for depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD, the study compared treatment outcomes from before (2017–2019) and during (2020–2022) the pandemic—particularly examining whether a shift to remote sessions impacted treatment results.

Why it matters
Early in the pandemic, mental health services rapidly transitioned to digital care, predominantly video calls. But there were concerns: would remote therapy deliver the same benefits as face‑to‑face sessions? Our research fills this critical evidence gap.

Key findings

• Remote care skyrocketed: The odds of patients using telepsychiatry increased roughly 11‑fold during the pandemic .
• Outcomes stayed steady: There were no significant differences in symptom reduction for depression, anxiety, OCD, or PTSD between the pre‑pandemic and pandemic periods.
• Remote did just as well: Statistical analysis showed no connection between the proportion of remote sessions and treatment effectiveness .

Why it’s exciting
This is one of the largest real‑world studies confirming that remote psychiatric care can deliver clinically equivalent outcomes to in‑person therapy—even under the pressures of a global crisis. It underscores telemedicine’s potential not just as a temporary fix, but as a durable, effective tool in mental health services.

Implications

• Digital formats of mental healthcare are a viable long-term option, not just an emergency workaround.
• Healthcare systems can confidently integrate remote care, knowing it upholds treatment quality.
• Access and flexibility improve, especially for patients less able to attend in person.

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Wrap-up

Bottom line: Our study provides strong real‑world evidence that remote mental healthcare during the pandemic preserved treatment outcomes across multiple disorders. It indicates healthcare providers can confidently expand remote care, not just in emergencies, but as a core part of future mental‑health delivery.

Reference
Fabian Lenhard, Lisa Wahlström Amnéus, Ida Viklund, Tove Hultstrand, Lena Lundholm, Thomas Tegenmark, Johan Skånberg, Lorena Fernández de la Cruz, Mikael Landén, Lars-Göran Öst. Remote mental healthcare before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A retrospective observational study using routine outcome measurements. Journal of Psychiatric Research, Volume 189, 2025, Pages 26-32, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.05.074.