David B Nicholas1, Rosslynn T Zulla1, Olivia Conlon1, Gina Dimitropoulos2, Simon Urschel3,4, Adam Rapoport5,6,7, Sherri Lynne Katz8,9,10, Aisha Bruce3,4, Lori J West3,4, Mark Belletrutti11,12, Emma Cullen2, Lonnie Zwaigenbaum3,4,13. 1. University of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work, Central and Northern Alberta Region, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 2. Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 4. Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 5. The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 6. Emily's House Children's Hospice, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 7. Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 8. Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 9. Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 10. Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 11. British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 12. Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 13. Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health at a population level. Families of children with health vulnerabilities have been disproportionately affected by pandemic-related policies and service disruptions as they substantially rely on the health and social care system. We elicited the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with health and disability-related vulnerabilities, their families, and their health care providers (HCPs). Methods: Children with diverse health vulnerabilities (cardiac transplantation, respiratory conditions, sickle cell disease, autism spectrum disorder, mental health issues, and nearing the end of life due to a range of underlying causes), as well as their parents and HCPs, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis in determining themes related to impact and recommendations for practice improvement. Results: A total of 262 participants (30 children, 76 parents, 156 HCPs) were interviewed. Children described loneliness and isolation; parents described feeling burnt out; and HCPs described strain and a sense of moral distress. Themes reflected mental health impacts on children, families, and HCPs, with insufficient resources to support mental health; organizational and policy influences that shaped service delivery; and recommendations to enhance service delivery. Conclusion: Children with health vulnerabilities, their families and HCPs incurred profound mental health impacts due to pandemic-imposed public health restrictions and care shifts. Recommendations include the development and application of targeted pandemic information and mental health supports. These findings amplify the need for capacity building, including proactive strategies and mitigative planning in the event of a future pandemic.
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health at a population level. Families of children with health vulnerabilities have been disproportionately affected by pandemic-related policies and service disruptions as they substantially rely on the health and social care system. We elicited the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with health and disability-related vulnerabilities, their families, and their health care providers (HCPs). Methods: Children with diverse health vulnerabilities (cardiac transplantation, respiratory conditions, sickle cell disease, autism spectrum disorder, mental health issues, and nearing the end of life due to a range of underlying causes), as well as their parents and HCPs, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis in determining themes related to impact and recommendations for practice improvement. Results: A total of 262 participants (30 children, 76 parents, 156 HCPs) were interviewed. Children described loneliness and isolation; parents described feeling burnt out; and HCPs described strain and a sense of moral distress. Themes reflected mental health impacts on children, families, and HCPs, with insufficient resources to support mental health; organizational and policy influences that shaped service delivery; and recommendations to enhance service delivery. Conclusion: Children with health vulnerabilities, their families and HCPs incurred profound mental health impacts due to pandemic-imposed public health restrictions and care shifts. Recommendations include the development and application of targeted pandemic information and mental health supports. These findings amplify the need for capacity building, including proactive strategies and mitigative planning in the event of a future pandemic.
Authors: Danielle Faye Jonas; Kristin Drouin; Jennifer Greenman; Victoria Klein; Caitlin Scanlon; Eleanor Frechette; Lauren Cramer; Arielle Eagan; Rachel Rusch; Marsha Joselow; Nicholas Purol Journal: J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care Date: 2021-03-15
Authors: Nidal Drissi; Sofia Ouhbi; Gonçalo Marques; Isabel de la Torre Díez; Mounir Ghogho; Mohammed Abdou Janati Idrissi Journal: Telemed J E Health Date: 2020-09-22 Impact factor: 3.536
Authors: Yaşar Tanir; Ali Karayagmurlu; İlyas Kaya; Tuba Bilbay Kaynar; Gaye Türkmen; Büşra Nur Dambasan; Yavuz Meral; Murat Coşkun Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2020-08-03 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Jordana McLoone; Claire E Wakefield; Glenn M Marshall; Kristine Pierce; Adam Jaffe; Ann Bye; Sean E Kennedy; Donna Drew; Raghu Lingam Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-01 Impact factor: 3.752