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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Care | Research

Primary care teams’ experiences of delivering mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Authors: Rachelle Ashcroft, Catherine Donnelly, Maya Dancey, Sandeep Gill, Simon Lam, Toula Kourgiantakis, Keith Adamson, David Verrilli, Lisa Dolovich, Anne Kirvan, Kavita Mehta, Deepy Sur, Judith Belle Brown

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Integrated primary care teams are ideally positioned to support the mental health care needs arising during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding how COVID-19 has affected mental health care delivery within primary care settings will be critical to inform future policy and practice decisions during the later phases of the pandemic and beyond. The objective of our study was to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary care teams’ delivery of mental health care.

Methods

A qualitative study using focus groups conducted with primary care teams in Ontario, Canada. Focus group data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

We conducted 11 focus groups with 10 primary care teams and a total of 48 participants. With respect to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health care in primary care teams, we identified three key themes: i) the high demand for mental health care, ii) the rapid transformation to virtual care, and iii) the impact on providers.

Conclusions

From the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care quickly responded to the rising mental health care demands of their patients. Despite the numerous challenges they faced with the rapid transition to virtual care, primary care teams have persevered. It is essential that policy and decision-makers take note of the toll that these demands have placed on providers. There is an immediate need to enhance primary care’s capacity for mental health care for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.

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Title: Primary care teams’ experiences of delivering mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Authors: Rachelle Ashcroft
Catherine Donnelly
Maya Dancey
Sandeep Gill
Simon Lam
Toula Kourgiantakis
Keith Adamson
David Verrilli
Lisa Dolovich
Anne Kirvan
Kavita Mehta
Deepy Sur
Judith Belle Brown
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Care
COVID-19
Published in: BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01496-8

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Primary care teams’ experiences of delivering mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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