Skip to content
2000
Volume 21, Issue 3
  • ISSN: 2666-0822
  • E-ISSN: 2666-0830

Abstract

Introduction

Given the importance of anxiety management in pandemics, this study evaluated the effectiveness of telepsychiatry in reducing anxiety in outpatients with COVID-19 and their satisfaction.

Methods

This RCT was conducted in a health center in which 188 COVID-19 outpatients participated. First, anxiety level was measured in both the intervention (IG) and control (CG) groups using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Then, the IG was offered four educational contents WhatsApp for four consecutive weeks. One month later, participants completed the BAI questionnaire again, and the CG completed a satisfaction questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests were applied.

Results

Psychosomatic complications were significantly reduced only in IG, but physical complications were reduced in both groups. Total anxiety also decreased significantly in both groups, but more significantly in IG ( < .001 for IG and < .039 for CG). The efficacy of telepsychiatry in reducing anxiety in healthcare workers was greater than in other occupational groups. There was no significant relationship between other demographic variables and telepsychiatry effectiveness. Seventy-eight percent of IG participants had a high level of satisfaction and 70.3% expressed a high desire to receive telepsychiatry in the future. The most important advantages of telepsychiatry were observing social distance, saving time, and reducing costs. In addition, The most important challenges were the lack of face-to-face contact, the lack of previous experience, and the late response of the psychologist.

Conclusion

Telepsychiatry effectively reduced moderate anxiety related to COVID-19 and provided high satisfaction.

Clinical Trail Registration Number

IRCTID: IRCT20211223053500N1.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/cprr/10.2174/0126660822275034231214075211
2024-01-24
2025-06-01
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. de FigueiredoC.S. SandreP.C. PortugalL.C.L. COVID-19 pandemic impact on children and adolescents’ mental health: Biological, environmental, and social factors.Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry202110611017110.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110171 33186638
    [Google Scholar]
  2. ManchiaM. GathierA.W. Yapici-EserH. The impact of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic on stress resilience and mental health: A critical review across waves.Eur. Neuropsychopharmacol.202255228310.1016/j.euroneuro.2021.10.864 34818601
    [Google Scholar]
  3. VinkersC.H. van AmelsvoortT. BissonJ.I. Stress resilience during the coronavirus pandemic.Eur. Neuropsychopharmacol.202035121610.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.05.003 32446705
    [Google Scholar]
  4. LiS. WangY. XueJ. ZhaoN. ZhuT. The impact of COVID-19 epidemic declaration on psychological consequences: a study on active Weibo users.Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2020176203210.3390/ijerph17062032 32204411
    [Google Scholar]
  5. MurphyL. MarkeyK. O’ DonnellC. MoloneyM. DoodyO. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions on people with pre-existent mental health conditions: A scoping review.Arch. Psychiatr. Nurs.202135437539410.1016/j.apnu.2021.05.002 34176579
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Moghanibashi-MansouriehA. Assessing the anxiety level of Iranian general population during COVID-19 outbreak.Asian J. Psychiatr.20205110207610.1016/j.ajp.2020.102076 32334409
    [Google Scholar]
  7. ShahS.M.A. MohammadD. QureshiM.F.H. AbbasM.Z. AleemS. Prevalence, psychological responses and associated correlates of depression, anxiety and stress in a global population, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.Community Ment. Health J.202157110111010.1007/s10597‑020‑00728‑y 33108569
    [Google Scholar]
  8. HawesM.T. SzenczyA.K. KleinD.N. HajcakG. NelsonB.D. Increases in depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.Psychol. Med.202252143222323010.1017/S0033291720005358 33436120
    [Google Scholar]
  9. AsadiN SalmaniF PourkhajooyiS MahdavifarM RoyaniZ SalmaniM Investigating the relationship between corona anxiety and nursing care behaviors working in corona’s referral hospitals.Majallah-i Ravanpizishki va Ravanshinasi-i Balini-i Iran2020263 Special Issue on COVID-1930631910.32598/ijpcp.26.3476.1
    [Google Scholar]
  10. GrolliR.E. MingotiM.E.D. BertolloA.G. Impact of COVID-19 in the mental health in elderly: Psychological and biological updates.Mol. Neurobiol.20215851905191610.1007/s12035‑020‑02249‑x 33404981
    [Google Scholar]
  11. LimaC.K.T. CarvalhoP.M.M. LimaI.A.A.S. The emotional impact of coronavirus 2019-nCoV (new Coronavirus disease).Psychiatry Res.202028711291510.1016/j.psychres.2020.112915 32199182
    [Google Scholar]
  12. ShevlinM. McBrideO. MurphyJ. Anxiety, depression, traumatic stress and COVID-19-related anxiety in the UK general population during the COVID-19 pandemic.BJPsych Open202066e12510.1192/bjo.2020.109 33070797
    [Google Scholar]
  13. DuJ. DongL. WangT. Psychological symptoms among frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan.Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry20206714414510.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.03.011 32381270
    [Google Scholar]
  14. AkbariH.A. PourabbasM. YoosefiM. How physical activity behavior affected well-being, anxiety and sleep quality during COVID-19 restrictions in Iran.Eur. Rev. Med. Pharmacol. Sci.2021252478477857 34982447
    [Google Scholar]
  15. AlipourJ. Hayavi-HaghighiM.H. Opportunities and challenges of telehealth in disease management during COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review.Appl. Clin. Inform.202112486487610.1055/s‑0041‑1735181 34528234
    [Google Scholar]
  16. PhuphanichM.E. SinhaK.R. TruongM. PhamQ.G. Telemedicine for musculoskeletal rehabilitation and orthopedic postoperative rehabilitation.Phys. Med. Rehabil. Clin. N. Am.202132231935310.1016/j.pmr.2020.12.004 33814061
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Hayavi-HaghighiM.H. AlipourJ. Applications, opportunities, and challenges in using Telehealth for burn injury management: A systematic review.Burns20234961237124810.1016/j.burns.2023.07.001 37537108
    [Google Scholar]
  18. AzizA. ZorkN. AubeyJ.J. Telehealth for high-risk pregnancies in the setting of the COVID-19 Pandemic.Am. J. Perinatol.202037880080810.1055/s‑0040‑1712121 32396948
    [Google Scholar]
  19. ShakerA.A. AustinS.F. StorebøO.J. Psychiatric treatment conducted via telemedicine versus in-person modality in posttraumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis.JMIR Ment. Health202310e4479010.2196/44790 37277113
    [Google Scholar]
  20. MehdipourY. NooriT. MehraeenE. KhajepourE. Balochzehi ShahbakhshF. FarhadiE. Utilization of telemental health services from the viewpoints of psychology students of zahedan universities.J Health Biomed Inform201512122130
    [Google Scholar]
  21. PappaS. NtellaV. GiannakasT. GiannakoulisV.G. PapoutsiE. KatsaounouP. Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Brain Behav. Immun.20208890190710.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.026 32437915
    [Google Scholar]
  22. HandL.J. The role of telemedicine in rural mental health care around the globe.Telemed. J. E Health202228328529410.1089/tmj.2020.0536 34061678
    [Google Scholar]
  23. BenyakornS. Implementing telepsychiatry in thailand benefits and challenges.J. Med. Assoc. Thai.201699Suppl. 8S260S266 29906060
    [Google Scholar]
  24. O’BrienM. McNicholasF. The use of telepsychiatry during COVID-19 and beyond.Ir. J. Psychol. Med.202037425025510.1017/ipm.2020.54 32434596
    [Google Scholar]
  25. PierceB.S. PerrinP.B. TylerC.M. McKeeG.B. WatsonJ.D. The COVID-19 telepsychology revolution: A national study of pandemic-based changes in U.S. mental health care delivery.Am. Psychol.2021761142510.1037/amp0000722 32816503
    [Google Scholar]
  26. DoraiswamyS. AbrahamA. MamtaniR. CheemaS. Use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic: Scoping review.J. Med. Internet Res.20202212e2408710.2196/24087 33147166
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Di CarloF SocialiA PicuttiE Telepsychiatry and other cutting-edge technologies in COVID-19 pandemic: Bridging the distance in mental health assistance.Int J Clin Pract2021751ijcp.1371610.1111/ijcp.13716 32946641
    [Google Scholar]
  28. ArafatM.Y. ZamanS. HawladerM.D.H. Telemedicine improves mental health in COVID-19 pandemic.J. Glob. Health2021110300410.7189/jogh.11.03004 34326984
    [Google Scholar]
  29. SharmaG. DevanK. The effectiveness of telepsychiatry: Thematic review.BJPsych Bull.2023472828910.1192/bjb.2021.115 34915955
    [Google Scholar]
  30. ChenJ.A. ChungW.J. YoungS.K. COVID-19 and telepsychiatry: Early outpatient experiences and implications for the future.Gen. Hosp. Psychiatry202066899510.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.07.002 32750604
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Hosseini TeshniziS. Hayavi HaghighiM.H. AlipourJ. Evaluation of health information systems with ISO 9241-10 standard: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Inform Med Unlocked20212510063910.1016/j.imu.2021.100639
    [Google Scholar]
  32. SweetH. CampionF. BixlerM. SylvesterP. GhanemN. Rural tele-mental health use during the pandemic for adjustment disorders, anxiety, and depression.Rural Mental Health202246315116110.1037/rmh0000209
    [Google Scholar]
  33. Mohammadian-HafshejaniA. TavassoliE. TavassoliE. AliakbariF. Effectiveness of a social cognitive theory-based distance educational intervention on anxiety in families of patients with COVID 19.Journal Payesh(Health Monitor)2022215469479
    [Google Scholar]
  34. HurJ.W. KimB. ParkD. ChoiS.W. A scenario-based cognitive behavioral therapy mobile app to reduce dysfunctional beliefs in individuals with depression: A randomized controlled trial.Telemed. J. E Health201824971071610.1089/tmj.2017.0214 29323626
    [Google Scholar]
  35. CelikH. AcikelS.B. OzdemirF.M.A. Evaluation of the anxiety level of mothers of children with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic period.Eur. Neurol.202184319219910.1159/000514826 33853068
    [Google Scholar]
  36. LabragueL.J. SantosJ.A.A. COVID‐19 anxiety among front‐line nurses: Predictive role of organisational support, personal resilience and social support.J. Nurs. Manag.20202871653166110.1111/jonm.13121 32770780
    [Google Scholar]
  37. PoonE. LiuK.S. CheongD.L. LeeC.K. YamL.Y. TangW.N. Impact of severe respiratory syndrome on anxiety levels of front-line health care workers.Hong Kong Med. J.2004105325330 15479961
    [Google Scholar]
  38. XiongN. FritzscheK. PanY. LöhleinJ. LeonhartR. The psychological impact of COVID-19 on Chinese healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol.20225781515152910.1007/s00127‑022‑02264‑4 35325261
    [Google Scholar]
  39. NikpouraghdamM. Jalali FarahaniA. AlishiriG. Epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in IRAN: A single center study.J. Clin. Virol.202012710437810.1016/j.jcv.2020.104378 32353762
    [Google Scholar]
  40. HaxhihamzaK. ArsovaS. BajraktarovS. Patient satisfaction with use of telemedicine in university clinic of psychiatry: Skopje, North Macedonia during COVID-19 pandemic.Telemed. J. E Health202127446446710.1089/tmj.2020.0256 32809916
    [Google Scholar]
  41. Heyman-KantorR. HardyN. CorcoranA.R. Patient perspectives on telepsychiatry on the inpatient psychiatric unit during the COVID-19 pandemic.J. Patient Exp.20207567767910.1177/2374373520958519 33294598
    [Google Scholar]
  42. Bryant-GenevierJ. RaoC.Y. Lopes-CardozoB. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal ideation among state, tribal, local, and territorial public health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic-United States, March-April 2021.MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep.2021702694795210.15585/mmwr.mm7026e1 34197362
    [Google Scholar]
  43. Hayavi-haghighiM.H. AlipourJ. DehghaniM. Nursing errors and computerized provider order entry (CPOE).Inform Med Unlocked20212510064810.1016/j.imu.2021.100648
    [Google Scholar]
  44. PesämaaL. EbelingH. KuusimäkiM.L. WinbladI. IsohanniM. MoilanenI. Videoconferencing in child and adolescent telepsychiatry: A systematic review of the literature.J. Telemed. Telecare200410418719210.1258/1357633041424458 15273027
    [Google Scholar]
  45. LiH. GleciaA. Kent-WilkinsonA. LeidlD. KleibM. RislingT. Transition of mental health service delivery to telepsychiatry in response to COVID-19: A literature review.Psychiatr. Q.202293118119710.1007/s11126‑021‑09926‑7 34101075
    [Google Scholar]
  46. HubleyS. LynchS.B. SchneckC. ThomasM. ShoreJ. Review of key telepsychiatry outcomes.World J. Psychiatry20166226928210.5498/wjp.v6.i2.269 27354970
    [Google Scholar]
  47. RomijnG. BatelaanN. KoningJ. Acceptability, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of blended cognitive-behavioural therapy (bCBT) versus face-to-face CBT (ftfCBT) for anxiety disorders in specialised mental health care: A 15-week randomised controlled trial with 1-year follow-up.PLoS One20211611e025949310.1371/journal.pone.0259493 34767575
    [Google Scholar]
  48. EfrianaL. Problems of online learning during COVID-19 pandemic in EFL classroom and the solution.JELITA2021213847
    [Google Scholar]
  49. SmithK. TorousJ. CiprianiA. Teaching telepsychiatry skills: Building on the lessons of the covid-19 pandemic to enhance mental health care in the future.JMIR Ment. Health2022910e3793910.2196/37939 35358948
    [Google Scholar]
  50. LeeH. PalmerJ. MullickP. KielyC. Patient experience with telehealth service in a mental health setting.Arch. Psychiatr. Nurs.20234315015210.1016/j.apnu.2023.03.001 37032009
    [Google Scholar]
  51. RushK.L. SeatonC. LiE. OelkeN.D. PesutB. Rural use of health service and telemedicine during COVID-19: The role of access and eHealth literacy.Health Informatics J.202127210.1177/14604582211020064 34041936
    [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/cprr/10.2174/0126660822275034231214075211
Loading
/content/journals/cprr/10.2174/0126660822275034231214075211
Loading

Data & Media loading...


  • Article Type:
    Research Article
Keyword(s): anxiety management; COVID-19; pandemic; telehealth; Telepsychiatry; user satisfaction
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test