Canadian pediatric eating disorder programs and virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods approach to understanding clinicians' perspectives.
Kaylee Novack, Rachel Dufour, Louis Picard, Danielle Taddeo, Pierre-Olivier Nadeau, Debra K Katzman, Linda Booij, Nicholas Chadi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: As a result of the public health measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, many health services, including those for the treatment of eating disorders, were provided at a distance. This study aims to describe the adaptations made in specialized pediatric eating disorder programs in Canada and the impact of these adaptations on health professionals' experience of providing care.
Methods: A mixed-methods design was used to survey healthcare professionals working in specialized pediatric eating disorder programs about adaptations to treatment made during the pandemic and the impact of these adaptations on their experience of providing care. Data were collected between October 2021 and March 2022 using a cross-sectional survey comprising 25 questions and via semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were interpreted using qualitative content analysis.
Results: Eighteen healthcare professionals in Canada completed the online survey, of whom six also participated in the semi-structured interviews. The cross-sectional survey confirmed that, unlike in pre-pandemic times, the majority of participants provided medical care (15/18) and mental health care (17/18) at a distance during the pandemic, with most participants using telephone (17/18) and videoconferencing (17/18). Most (16/18) health professionals indicated that virtual care would continue to be used as a tool in pediatric ED treatment after the pandemic. Participants used a combination of virtual and in-person care, with most reporting weighing patients both in clinic (16/18) and virtually (15/18). Qualitative content analysis generated five themes: (1) responding to increased demand with insufficient resources; (2) adapting to changes in care due to the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) dealing with uncertainty and apprehension; (4) virtual care as an acceptable and useful clinical tool, and (5) optimal conditions and future expectations. Most interview participants (5/6) had globally positive views of virtual care.
Conclusions: Providing virtual multidisciplinary treatment for children and adolescents with eating disorders seemed feasible and acceptable to professionals during the pandemic. Moving forward, focusing on health professionals' perspectives and providing appropriate training in virtual interventions is essential given their central role in successful implementation and continued use of virtual and hybrid care models.
期刊介绍:
Annals of General Psychiatry considers manuscripts on all aspects of psychiatry, including neuroscience and psychological medicine. Both basic and clinical neuroscience contributions are encouraged.
Annals of General Psychiatry emphasizes a biopsychosocial approach to illness and health and strongly supports and follows the principles of evidence-based medicine. As an open access journal, Annals of General Psychiatry facilitates the worldwide distribution of high quality psychiatry and mental health research. The journal considers submissions on a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, psychopharmacology, forensic psychiatry, psychotic disorders, psychiatric genetics, and mood and anxiety disorders.