Examining the experiences of pediatric mental health care providers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally impacted the way that mental health services were provided. In order to prevent the spread of infection, many new public health precautions, including mandated use of masks, quarantine and isolation, and closures of many in-person activities, w...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01170-x |
| _version_ | 1797831801629048832 |
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| author | Katherine Bright Emma Cullen Olivia Conlon Rosslynn T. Zulla David B. Nicholas Gina Dimitropoulos |
| author_facet | Katherine Bright Emma Cullen Olivia Conlon Rosslynn T. Zulla David B. Nicholas Gina Dimitropoulos |
| author_sort | Katherine Bright |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally impacted the way that mental health services were provided. In order to prevent the spread of infection, many new public health precautions, including mandated use of masks, quarantine and isolation, and closures of many in-person activities, were implemented. Public health mandates made it necessary for mental health services to immediately shift their mode of delivery, creating increased confusion and stress for mental health providers. The objective of this study is to understand the impact of pandemics on the clinical and personal lives of mental health providers working with children during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, March -June 2020. Methods Mental health providers (n = 98) were recruited using purposive sampling from a public health service in Canada. Using qualitative methods, semi-structured focus groups were conducted to understand the experiences of mental health service providers during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Data from the focus groups were analysed and three main themes emerged: (1) shift to virtual delivery and working from home; (2) concerns about working in person; (3) exhaustion and stress from working through the pandemic. Discussion This study gave voice to mental health providers as they provided continuity of care throughout the uncertain early months of the pandemic. The results provide insight into the impact times of crisis have on mental health providers, as well as provide practical considerations for the future in terms of supervision and feedback mechanisms to validate experiences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:58:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-23c6eac442944c949d07959f9c3207a7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:58:37Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-23c6eac442944c949d07959f9c3207a72023-05-07T11:27:30ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832023-05-0111111010.1186/s40359-023-01170-xExamining the experiences of pediatric mental health care providers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemicKatherine Bright0Emma Cullen1Olivia Conlon2Rosslynn T. Zulla3David B. Nicholas4Gina Dimitropoulos5Faculty of Nursing, University of CalgaryThe Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryFaculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Central and Northern Alberta RegionFaculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Central and Northern Alberta RegionFaculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Central and Northern Alberta RegionThe Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryAbstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally impacted the way that mental health services were provided. In order to prevent the spread of infection, many new public health precautions, including mandated use of masks, quarantine and isolation, and closures of many in-person activities, were implemented. Public health mandates made it necessary for mental health services to immediately shift their mode of delivery, creating increased confusion and stress for mental health providers. The objective of this study is to understand the impact of pandemics on the clinical and personal lives of mental health providers working with children during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, March -June 2020. Methods Mental health providers (n = 98) were recruited using purposive sampling from a public health service in Canada. Using qualitative methods, semi-structured focus groups were conducted to understand the experiences of mental health service providers during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Data from the focus groups were analysed and three main themes emerged: (1) shift to virtual delivery and working from home; (2) concerns about working in person; (3) exhaustion and stress from working through the pandemic. Discussion This study gave voice to mental health providers as they provided continuity of care throughout the uncertain early months of the pandemic. The results provide insight into the impact times of crisis have on mental health providers, as well as provide practical considerations for the future in terms of supervision and feedback mechanisms to validate experiences.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01170-xCOVID 19Qualitative researchMental HealthMental Health Providers |
| spellingShingle | Katherine Bright Emma Cullen Olivia Conlon Rosslynn T. Zulla David B. Nicholas Gina Dimitropoulos Examining the experiences of pediatric mental health care providers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic BMC Psychology COVID 19 Qualitative research Mental Health Mental Health Providers |
| title | Examining the experiences of pediatric mental health care providers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Examining the experiences of pediatric mental health care providers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Examining the experiences of pediatric mental health care providers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Examining the experiences of pediatric mental health care providers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Examining the experiences of pediatric mental health care providers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | examining the experiences of pediatric mental health care providers during the early stage of the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | COVID 19 Qualitative research Mental Health Mental Health Providers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01170-x |
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