A report on successful introduction of tele mental health training for primary care doctors during the COVID 19 pandemic

Abstract

Treatment gaps of 60-70%, reflecting, amongst many other factors, Human Resources shortfalls means that 150 million India never accessed mental healthcare. In Punjab, mental health training is required in primary health centers. A short-term synchronous training was conceptualized by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. A total of 114 primary care doctors participated for the training. Substantial positive changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices were noted. Task sharing and capacity building initiatives can be undertaken during the pandemic to meet the demand for mental healthcare service delivery.

Health system adaptions to improve care for people living with non-communicable diseases during COVID-19 in low-middle income countries: A scoping review

“…Most studies employed a prospective cohort [ 35 , 36 , 39 - 41 , 47 , 48 ] or cross-sectional design [ 37 , 42 , 46 ]. Two studies used a qualitative design [ 44 , 45 ] and the rest were clinical audits/review [ 38 ] and a field-based report [ 43 ]. Table 2 summarizes the included reports’ characteristics.…”

“…We identified four different health systems adaptations and reconfiguration to improve access to NCDs: telemedicine or teleconsultation strategies [ 35 - 38 , 40 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 46 - 48 ], NCD medicines drop-off points [ 45 ], decentralization of hypertension follow-up services and provision of free medication to peripheral health centers [ 39 ], and diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening with a handheld smartphone-based retinal camera [ 36 ]. Telemedicine was the most introduced intervention among the four.…”

“…It was conducted through telephone calls [ 44 , 47 ], WhatsApp [ 35 ], and video calls and conferencing [ 44 ]. Among the telemedicine strategies, telepsychiatry was widely used to provide care to people living with mental health disorders [ 38 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 46 , 48 ]. One study reported the use of telemedicine to train health care providers to provide mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…The 14 identified studies reported on different populations living with NCDs. Six studies reported on mental health disorders [ 38 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 46 , 48 ], four focused on people living with diabetes [ 35 , 36 , 45 , 47 ], and the rest were related to cancer [ 37 ], hypertension [ 39 , 45 ], and Parkinson disease [ 40 ]. For diabetes care, most of the adaptations were telemedicine strategies [ 35 , 36 , 47 ], while others comprised NCD medicines drop-off points [ 45 ] and DR screening with a handheld device [ 36 ].…”

“…For diabetes care, most of the adaptations were telemedicine strategies [ 35 , 36 , 47 ], while others comprised NCD medicines drop-off points [ 45 ] and DR screening with a handheld device [ 36 ]. Telepsychiatry was also used to address the needs of people with psychiatry and mental health disorders [ 38 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 46 , 48 ]. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one study reported on the training of health care providers synchronously on mental health care to support virtual care for people with mental health conditions held [ 43 ].…”