The use of telepsychiatry during COVID-19 and beyond

O’Brien, Mike; McNicholas, Fiona

doi:10.1017/ipm.2020.54

Cited by 117 publications

(117 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…We suggest that an urgent task now is to further co-produce, test and implement promising telepsychiatry initiatives so that they are as effective and acceptable as possible, drawing on already available guidance and evidence. [31]. Barriers need to be addressed, the most appropriate technologies identified, and both staff and service users supported in their use.…”

Section: Main Findings and Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health care and on people with mental health conditions: framework synthesis of international experiences and responses

Rains

Johnson

Barnett

et al. 2020

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

184

159

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Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has many potential impacts on people with mental health conditions and on mental health care, including direct consequences of infection, effects of infection control measures and subsequent societal changes. We aimed to map early impacts of the pandemic on people with pre-existing mental health conditions and services they use, and to identify individual and service-level strategies adopted to manage these. Methods We searched for relevant material in the public domain published before 30 April 2020, including papers in scientific and professional journals, published first person accounts, media articles, and publications by governments, charities and professional associations. Search languages were English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. Relevant content was retrieved and summarised via a rapid qualitative framework synthesis approach. Results We found 872 eligible sources from 28 countries. Most documented observations and experiences rather than reporting research data. We found many reports of deteriorations in symptoms, and of impacts of loneliness and social isolation and of lack of access to services and resources, but sometimes also of resilience, effective self-management and peer support. Immediate service challenges related to controlling infection, especially in inpatient and residential settings, and establishing remote working, especially in the community. We summarise reports of swiftly implemented adaptations and innovations, but also of pressing ethical challenges and concerns for the future. Conclusion Our analysis captures the range of stakeholder perspectives and experiences publicly reported in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in several countries. We identify potential foci for service planning and research.

show abstract

Section: Main Findings and Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health care and on people with mental health conditions: framework synthesis of international experiences and responses

Rains

Johnson

Barnett

et al. 2020

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

184

159

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…[28][29][30] We suggest that an urgent task now is to further co-produce, test and implement promising telepsychiatry initiatives so that they are as effective and acceptable as possible, drawing on already available guidance and evidence. 31 Barriers need to be addressed, the most appropriate technologies identified, and both staff and service users supported in their use. Meanwhile, the limitations of these technologies and the need to be selective in their use also need to be recognised, especially where continuing use following the pandemic is contemplated.…”

Section: Main Findings and Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health care and on people with mental health conditions: framework synthesis of international experiences and responses

Rains

Johnson

Barnett

et al. 2020

Preprint

106

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has many potential impacts on people with mental health conditions and on mental health care, including direct consequences of infection, effects of infection control measures and subsequent societal changes. We aimed to map early impacts of the pandemic on people with pre-existing mental health conditions and services they use, and to identify individual and service-level strategies adopted to manage these. Methods We searched for relevant material in the public domain published before 30 April 2020, including papers in scientific and professional journals, published first person accounts, media articles, and publications by governments, charities and professional associations. Search languages were English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. Relevant content was retrieved and summarised via a rapid qualitative framework synthesis approach. Results We found 872 eligible sources from 29 countries. Most documented observations and experiences rather than reporting research data. We found many reports of deteriorations in symptoms, and of impacts of loneliness and social isolation and of lack of access to services and resources, but sometimes also of resilience, effective self-management and peer support. Immediate service challenges related to controlling infection, especially in inpatient and residential settings, and establishing remote working, especially in the community. We summarise reports of swiftly implemented adaptations and innovations, but also of pressing ethical challenges and concerns for the future. Conclusion Our analysis captures the range of stakeholder perspectives and experiences publicly reported in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in several countries. We identify potential foci for service planning and research.

show abstract

“…1,[3][4][5] The utility of telepsychiatry is relevant now more than ever as the world endures the COVID-19 global pandemic. [6][7][8] This outbreak has presented the medical community with a sweeping number of challenges. Many mental healthcare systems did not have the infrastructural resources required to adequately cope with the exponentially evolving impact of COVID-19.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[13][14][15] With physical distancing, increased patients' reluctance to present to healthcare settings, and decreased staffing levels due to necessary self-isolation, telepsychiatry arose to meet the demand for mental health services. 3,16,17 Governments, organizations, and scientists urged for the advancement of psychiatric care during the outbreak. 18,19 However, in many affected countries, the availability of mental health professionals does not meet the continuous growth in demand.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%