Mental Health Providers' Perspectives on the Pandemic's Impact in Nursing Homes
Author Information
Author(s): Curyto Kimberly, Page Kyle, Shoji Kristy, Ryu HyeRim, Washington Tracey, Karel Michele
Primary Institution: Western New York VA Healthcare System
Hypothesis
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect mental health services for older adults in nursing homes?
Conclusion
The pandemic significantly impacted the well-being of residents and healthcare teams in nursing homes, highlighting the adaptability of mental health providers.
Supporting Evidence
- 66% of respondents worked in the CLC before the pandemic.
- 97% reported providing mostly in-person clinical care before the pandemic.
- 72% reported providing in-person clinical care two years later.
- 23% provided a mix of in-person and virtual care.
- 5% provided entirely virtual care.
Takeaway
The pandemic changed how mental health care is provided in nursing homes, making it harder for residents to engage and for teams to work together.
Methodology
An anonymous national survey of Veterans Health Administration Community Living Center mental health professionals was conducted.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the anonymous nature of the survey and the specific population surveyed.
Limitations
The study relies on self-reported data from a specific group of mental health professionals.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 82% psychologists and 18% psychiatric providers, with a majority having worked in the CLC before the pandemic.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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