A portrait of the early and differential mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: Findings from the first wave of a nationally representative cross-sectional survey

Jenkins, Emily; McAuliffe, Corey; Hirani, Saima; Richardson, Chris; Thomson, Kimberly; McGuinness, Liza; Morris, Jonathan M.; Kousoulis, Antonis A.; Gadermann, Anne

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106333

Cited by 166 publications

(226 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The ability to offer virtual visits over the telephone or video may have allowed physicians to conduct follow-up appointments more regularly with patients presenting with symptoms of anxiety, resulting in a greater number of visits per patient on average. Results from representative samples of the general population suggest that rates of anxiety and depression have increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic [ 33 – 35 ], but this has not necessarily resulted in an increase in anxiety/depression diagnoses made by primary care physicians [ 36 , 37 ]. More research is needed to understand how family physicians are responding to the increase in mental health concerns and effective approaches for addressing the needs of distressed patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the top 25 reasons for primary care visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in a high-COVID region of Canada

et al. 2021

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Purpose We aimed to determine the degree to which reasons for primary care visits changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We used data from the University of Toronto Practice Based Research Network (UTOPIAN) to compare the most common reasons for primary care visits before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the number of visits and the number of patients seen for each of the 25 most common diagnostic codes. The proportion of visits involving virtual care was assessed as a secondary outcome. Results UTOPIAN family physicians (N = 379) conducted 702,093 visits, involving 264,942 patients between March 14 and December 31, 2019 (pre-pandemic period), and 667,612 visits, involving 218,335 patients between March 14 and December 31, 2020 (pandemic period). Anxiety was the most common reason for visit, accounting for 9.2% of the total visit volume during the pandemic compared to 6.5% the year before. Diabetes and hypertension remained among the top 5 reasons for visit during the pandemic, but there were 23.7% and 26.2% fewer visits and 19.5% and 28.8% fewer individual patients accessing care for diabetes and hypertension, respectively. Preventive care visits were substantially reduced, with 89.0% fewer periodic health exams and 16.2% fewer well-baby visits. During the pandemic, virtual care became the dominant care format (77.5% virtual visits). Visits for anxiety and depression were the most common reasons for a virtual visit (90.6% virtual visits). Conclusion The decrease in primary care visit volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic varied based on the reason for the visit, with increases in visits for anxiety and decreases for preventive care and visits for chronic diseases. Implications of increased demands for mental health services and gaps in preventive care and chronic disease management may require focused efforts in primary care.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the top 25 reasons for primary care visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in a high-COVID region of Canada

et al. 2021

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“…It is likely that the short duration of FFRx limited the potential health impacts of the program. Furthermore, the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical, mental, and social health are well-documented, especially among those experiencing existing vulnerabilities [35,36]. Such effects likely confounded self-reported health outcomes at follow-up, thereby offsetting or occluding the potential benefits of FFRx.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I was eating more fruits and veggies than I have in years”: a mixed methods evaluation of a fresh food prescription intervention

Heasley

Clayton²,

Muileboom

et al. 2021

Arch Public Health

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Background Food insecurity is associated with poor nutritional health outcomes. Prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables in healthcare settings may be an opportunity to link patients with community supports to promote healthy diets and improve food security. This mixed methods study evaluated the impacts of a fresh food prescription pilot program. Methods The study took place at two Community Health Centre locations in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Sixty food insecure patients with ≥1 cardio-metabolic condition or micronutrient deficiency participated in the intervention. Participants were prescribed 12 weekly vouchers to Community Food Markets. We conducted a one-group pre-post mixed-methods evaluation to assess changes in fruit and vegetable intake, self-reported health, food security, and perceived food environments. Surveys were conducted at baseline and follow-up and semi-structured interviews with participants were conducted following the intervention. Results Food security and fruit and vegetable consumption improved following the intervention. Food security scores increased by 1.6 points, on average (p < 0.001). Consumption of fruits and ‘other’ vegetables (cucumber, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, squashes, and vegetable juice) increased from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.05). No changes in self-reported physical or mental health were observed. Qualitative data suggested that the intervention benefited the availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and accommodation of healthy foods for participating households. Conclusions Fresh food prescription programs may be a useful model for healthcare providers to improve patients’ food environments, healthy food consumption, and food security.

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“…Our findings support the postulate of Thapa et al [75] and Holmes et al [72] that appropriate management strategies for the mental health of pregnant women should be developed. Health needs of the population during a pandemic are considered as four 'waves' [76,77] of the pandemic. The first wave involves the immediate mortality and morbidity of COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Long-term Effects Of the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perinatal Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review and Implications for Clinical Practice

Suwalska

Napierała

Bogdański

et al. 2021

JCM

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The COVID-19 pandemic and measures implemented to decelerate its spread have consequences for mental health of societies. The aim of our review was to analyze depressive and anxiety symptoms in perinatal women. The search used PubMed and Web of Science databases. Most studies showed an increase in the prevalence of depression and/or anxiety symptoms. Risk factors identified in our study were mainly related to the possibility of COVID-19 infection, changes in the organization of perinatal care, social isolation and financial problems. Protective factors included social support, the woman’s own activity and knowledge about COVID-19. The results of our study point to the importance of the mental health screening including suicide risk assessment in perinatal women. Much of the mental health needs of perinatal women can be met in primary or perinatal care services; however, women with mental health issues should be offered psychiatric consultations and psychological support, and sometimes urgent psychiatric hospitalization is necessary. Healthcare professionals should provide information addressing uncertainty about COVID-19, organization of midwifery and medical care as well as mental health problems and how to get help. Mental health interventions in pregnant women may involve planning physical activity and encouraging to engage in online social activities.

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A portrait of the early and differential mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: Findings from the first wave of a nationally representative cross-sectional survey

Cited by 166 publications

References 26 publications

Changes in the top 25 reasons for primary care visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in a high-COVID region of Canada

Changes in the top 25 reasons for primary care visits during the COVID-19 pandemic in a high-COVID region of Canada

“I was eating more fruits and veggies than I have in years”: a mixed methods evaluation of a fresh food prescription intervention

Perinatal Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review and Implications for Clinical Practice

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