# The COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide online interest in telepsychiatry: an infodemiological study from 2004 to 2022

## TL;DR

This study analyzed online interest in telepsychiatry from 2004 to 2022, finding increased interest during the pandemic, especially in high-income countries.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into global online interest in telepsychiatry during the pandemic using Google Trends and Wikipedia data.

## Key findings

- Interest in telepsychiatry was highest in high-income countries.
- Search volumes for telepsychiatry increased during the pandemic, while Wikipedia page views decreased.
- Top queries included telepsychiatry concepts, jobs, services, costs, and locations.

## Abstract

Studies call for the further assessment and understanding of public interests and concerns about telepsychiatry, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since telepsychiatry services are accessed through the Internet, this study analyzed online searches and queries to determine telepsychiatry-related interests and concerns over time. The findings can inform the development and customization of online telepsychiatry resources and services, enabling a more effective response to public needs.

This study determined public concerns and interests in telepsychiatry using data from Google Trends and Wikipedia from 2004 to 2022. These platforms were selected for their large global market share. After describing the data, bootstrap for independent sample tests of search volumes and Wikipedia page views before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The highest interest in telepsychiatry was observed in high-income countries. Search volumes for telepsychiatry increased, while Wikipedia page views decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The top and rising queries that can be incorporated into telepsychiatry websites include telepsychiatry concepts, jobs, services, costs, and locations.

The findings support that the use of the Internet for telepsychiatry information increased compared to previous years, especially during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. There may also be a higher interest in telepsychiatry among high-income nations compared to low and middle-income countries. Furthermore, the study also supports that digital information should be tailored to respond to public needs and expectations by incorporating telepsychiatry-related concepts, jobs, services, costs, and locations.