Newbronner, Elizabeth orcid.org/0000-0003-2366-9981, Spanakis, Panagiotis orcid.org/0000-0002-2732-8300, Wadman, Ruth orcid.org/0000-0003-4205-0631 et al. (6 more authors) (2022) Exploring Access to Mental Health and Primary Care Services for People With Severe Mental Illness During the COVID-19 Restrictions. Frontiers in psychiatry. 799885. ISSN 1664-0640
Abstract
Aims: To explore: how satisfied people with severe mental illness (SMI) are with the support received during the pandemic; understand any difficulties encountered when accessing both mental health and primary care services; consider ways to mitigate these difficulties; and assess the perceived need for future support from mental health services. Materials and Methods: A representative sample was drawn from a large transdiagnostic clinical cohort of people with SMI, which was recruited between April 2016 and March 2020. The sample was re-surveyed a few months after the beginning of the restrictions. Descriptive frequency statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data. The free text responses were analyzed thematically. Results: 367 participants responded to the survey. Two thirds were receiving support from mental health services with the rest supported in primary care or self-managing. A quarter thought they would need more mental health support in the coming year. Half had needed to used community mental health services during the pandemic and the majority had been able to get support. A minority reported that their mental health had deteriorated but they had either not got the supported they wanted or had not sought help. The biggest service change was the reduction in face-to-face appointments and increasing use of phone and video call support. Nearly half of those using mental health services found this change acceptable or even preferred it. However, acceptability was influenced by several factors, and participants were more likely to report that they had received all the support they needed, when seen in person. Discussion: Although most participants were satisfied with the mental health support they had received, a minority were not. This, couple with findings on future need for mental health support has implications for post pandemic demand on services. Remote care has brought benefits but also risks that it could increase inequalities in access to services.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 Newbronner, Spanakis, Wadman, Crosland, Heron, Johnston, Walker, Gilbody and Peckham. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Health Sciences (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Hull York Medical School (York) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (MRC) MR/V028529/1 |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 16 Feb 2022 12:50 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 18:14 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.799885 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.799885 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:183698 |
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Filename: fpsyt_12_799885.pdf
Description: Exploring Access to Mental Health and Primary Care Services for People With Severe Mental Illness During the COVID-19 Restrictions
Licence: CC-BY 2.5