Telematic Follow-up in Mental Health (MH) for SARS-CoV2 (+) users at home: A dam for the fifth wave?

• Published in: Journal of psychosomatic research Vol. 157; p. 110877
• Main Authors: Machuca, M., Contreras, P., Soto, I., Vergara, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Inc 01-06-2022; Elsevier Science Ltd; Pergamon Press
• Subjects: Aggression; Basic needs; Counseling; Domestic violence; Emergency medical care; Emergency services; Health care; Health services; History; Intervention; Mental health; Pandemics; Patients; Quarantine; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Social networks; Social organization; Substance abuse; Substance use; Suicide; Telemedicine; Welfare benefits
• ISSN: 0022-3999; 1879-1360
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.110877

Objective The year 2020 was characterized by the start of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic and an increased difficulty to access health care for non-pandemic reasons, as well as the quarantine indication for SARS-CoV2 (+) patients. It is decided to carry out a MH follow-up to all patients tested in the hospital and passing their quarantine at home (2 weeks), intending to early detect MH needs and avoid a consultation in the Emergency Department. Methods Analysis of data-base from April to August 2020. Results 520 adult patients were followed up for two weeks, involving counseling, delivery of therapeutic support and orientation in social assistance networks. 9.78% patients had a MH history. Anxiety was detected in 157 cases (30.1%), highlighting the differential prevalence between users with/without MH history: 63.2%v/s 31.6%, this being more severe and frequent than in the first ones. Also 6 people acknowledge Substance Use (1.1%), 18 perceive their basic needs unsatisfied (3.46%), 1 has suicidal thoughs (0.19%) and 1 reports being victim of domestic violence (0.19%). A total of 13 patients (17.5%) received a pharmacological indication. Conclusions In patients with a MH history, the prevalence of anxious symptomatology during quarantines is doubled, being also more severe. All patients present a favorable response to telematic interventions, avoiding scheduled face-to-face MH consultations and assistance to Emergency Departament. It seems necessary to have structured MH follow-up protocols and interventions for patients in psychosocially vulnerable situations.