scholarly journals Rare diseases and mental health in the UK - a quantitative survey and multi-stakeholder workshop

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Spencer-Tansley ◽  
Nick Meade ◽  
Farhana Ali ◽  
Amy Simpson ◽  
Amy Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rare Disease ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Support ◽  
Stakeholder Workshop ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

Abstract Background: Rare disease patients and carers report significant impacts on mental health but this has not been extensively studied. We explored the experiences of UK-based individuals through an online survey, and offer recommendations for policy and practice developed with a multi-stakeholder workshop.Results: In total 1,355 patients and 571 carers responded to the survey. Due to their rare condition, the majority of respondents had felt worried/anxious (95%); stressed (93%); low/depressed (90%); emotionally exhausted (88%). Thirty-six percent of patients and 19% of carers had had suicidal thoughts. Challenges that are particular to rare conditions and which negatively affect mental health included low knowledge of the condition amongst healthcare professionals (88%), not being believed or taken seriously by healthcare professionals (80%), and lack of available information about the condition (76%). Only 23% of respondents felt mental health was considered by healthcare professionals as equally important as physical health. Almost half of patients (46%) and carers (48%) reported never having been asked about their mental health, or that of the person they care for, by healthcare professionals. Forty-six percent of respondents had received professional psychological support; the most common reason for not having accessed professional psychological support was that it had not been suggested (41%). Fifty-nine percent of respondents had accessed sources of additional emotional support, such as patient groups, with the majority (75%) having found this support themselves. With input from our multi-stakeholder workshop we developed recommendations for healthcare professionals to be supported to effectively and sensitively recognise and address patients’ and carers’ mental health needs; and for service level coordination of care to integrate professional psychological support with rare disease services.Conclusions: Living with a rare disease can substantially impact mental health. Many of the drivers of poor mental health reflect issues specific to managing rare conditions. To meet existing UK government commitments, there should be a focus on empowering healthcare professionals who treat rare disease patients and on integration of mental health support with rare disease services.

scholarly journals Rare diseases and mental health in the UK - a quantitative survey and multi-stakeholder workshop

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Spencer-Tansley ◽  
Nick Meade ◽  
Farhana Ali ◽  
Amy Simpson ◽  
Amy Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rare Disease ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Support ◽  
Stakeholder Workshop ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

Abstract Background Rare disease patients and carers report significant impacts on mental health but this has not been extensively studied. We explored the experiences of UK-based individuals through an online survey, and offer recommendations for policy and practice developed with a multi-stakeholder workshop. Results In total 1,355 patients and 571 carers responded to the survey.Due to their rare condition, the majority of respondents had felt worried/anxious (95%); stressed (93%); low/depressed (90%); emotionally exhausted (88%). Thirty-six percent of patients and 19% of carers had had suicidal thoughts.Challenges that are particular to rare conditions and which negatively affect mental health included limited knowledge of the condition amongst healthcare professionals (88%), not being believed or taken seriously by healthcare professionals (80%), and lack of available information about the condition (76%). Only 23% of respondents felt healthcare professionals considered mental health as equally important as physical health. Almost half of patients (46%) and carers (48%) reported never having been asked about their mental health, or that of the person they care for, by healthcare professionals.Forty-six percent of respondents had received professional psychological support; the most common reason for not having accessed professional psychological support was that it had not been suggested (41%).Fifty-nine percent of respondents had accessed sources of additional emotional support, such as patient groups, with the majority (75%) having found this support themselves. With input from our multi-stakeholder workshop we developed recommendations for healthcare professionals to be supported to effectively and sensitively recognise and address patients’ and carers’ mental health needs; and for service level coordination of care to integrate professional psychological support with rare disease services.Conclusions Living with a rare disease substantially impacts mental health. Many of the drivers of poor mental health reflect issues specific to managing rare conditions. To meet existing UK government commitments, there should be a focus on empowering healthcare professionals who treat rare disease patients and on integration of mental health support with rare disease services.

scholarly journals Can Chatbots Help Support a Person’s Mental Health? Perceptions and Views from Mental Healthcare Professionals and Experts

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Colm Sweeney ◽  
Courtney Potts ◽  
Edel Ennis ◽  
Raymond Bond ◽  
Maurice D. Mulvenna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Perceptions ◽  
Human Emotion ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Perceived Importance

The objective of this study was to understand the attitudes of professionals who work in mental health regarding the use of conversational user interfaces, or chatbots, to support people’s mental health and wellbeing. This study involves an online survey to measure the awareness and attitudes of mental healthcare professionals and experts. The findings from this survey show that more than half of the participants in the survey agreed that there are benefits associated with mental healthcare chatbots (65%, p < 0.01). The perceived importance of chatbots was also relatively high (74%, p < 0.01), with more than three-quarters (79%, p < 0.01) of respondents agreeing that mental healthcare chatbots could help their clients better manage their own health, yet chatbots are overwhelmingly perceived as not adequately understanding or displaying human emotion (86%, p < 0.01). Even though the level of personal experience with chatbots among professionals and experts in mental health has been quite low, this study shows that where they have been used, the experience has been mostly satisfactory. This study has found that as years of experience increased, there was a corresponding increase in the belief that healthcare chatbots could help clients better manage their own mental health.

scholarly journals Depressive Symptoms, Help-Seeking, and Barriers to Mental Healthcare Among Healthcare Professionals in Lithuania

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Daniel Rogoža ◽  
Robertas Strumila ◽  
Eglė Klivickaitė ◽  
Edgaras Diržius ◽  
Neringa Čėnaitė
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Patient Health

Background: Previous research suggests that healthcare professionals (HCPs) experience high levels of work-related psychological distress, including depressive symptoms. Due to the stigma of mental health problems and other barriers, HCPs are likely to be hesitant to seek appropriate mental healthcare. We aimed to explore these phenomena among HCPs in Lithuania.Methods: A web survey inquiring about depressive symptoms, help-seeking, and barriers to mental healthcare was conducted. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). 601 complete questionnaires were included in the analyses. The barriers to help-seeking were identified using the inductive content analysis approach. Descriptive, non-parametric, and robust statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.Results: Most of the respondents have reported depression-like symptoms over the lifetime, although only about a third of them sought professional help. Of those, roughly half preferred a private specialist. The stigma and neglect of mental health problems were the most common barriers to help-seeking. Around half of the HCPs believed that seeking mental healthcare can imperil their occupational license. About a quarter of the HCPs screened positive for clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Statistically significant differences in the PHQ-9 score were found between categories of healthcare specialty, marital status, religious beliefs, workplace, and years of work as a HCP. Fewer years of work and younger age were associated with the higher PHQ-9 score.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HCPs in Lithuania may be inclined not to seek appropriate mental healthcare and experience poor mental health, although stronger evidence is needed to verify these findings. 

scholarly journals Prevalence and factors associated with poor mental health among healthcare professionals in low- and lower-middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Lohmann ◽  
Denny John ◽  
Aso Dzay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Abstract Background A healthy and productive health workforce is central to a well-functioning health system. However, health workers are at high risk of poor psychological wellbeing due to their particularly strenuous work demands. While mental health of health workers is a well-researched issue in high-income countries, research from low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMIC) has begun to emerge only recently. The review aims to synthesize this body of research, specifically to assess the prevalence of mental health issues among health workers in LLMIC, to identify factors associated with good or poor mental health, and to highlight gaps in knowledge. Methods We will perform a systematic search of the published English and French language literature (from inception onwards) in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. Eligible for inclusion are observational studies (e.g., cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort) and control arms of randomized controlled trials reporting investigations on the nature, prevalence, and factors associated with mental health or psychological wellbeing among formally trained health professionals and health associate professionals delivering health services in formal healthcare facilities in LLMIC. The primary outcomes will be burnout, depression, and general psychological wellbeing. Secondary outcomes include other specific mental health diagnoses, as well as general psychological stress, distress and/or trauma if work-related and explicitly framed as a mental health issue. Two authors will independently examine the studies against the eligibility criteria in the stages of title, abstract, and full-text study selection, as well as assess the risk of bias in included studies using standard checklists depending on study design. Disagreements will be resolved in discussion with the third author. Data will be extracted from included studies using a predefined and piloted coding framework. Given the anticipated heterogeneity of studies, we do not expect to be able to conduct meta-analysis and plan to summarize the extracted data in narrative form. The framework method will be used to organize narrative data by subthemes and explore patterns. Discussion In assessing the prevalence of mental health issues among healthcare professionals in LLMIC and identifying factors associated with positive or poor mental health, the review aims to synthesize all possible available information for policy makers and health system managers on a potentially highly important but not yet much-discussed issue and to highlight gaps in currently available knowledge. Systematic review registration International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews PROSPERO (registration number CRD42019140036)

scholarly journals Distress and resilience of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic (DARVID): study protocol for a mixed-methods research project

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e039832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Fuchs ◽  
Sandra Abegglen ◽  
Joana Berger-Estilita ◽  
Robert Greif ◽  
Helen Eigenmann
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Work Related

IntroductionThe unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has exposed healthcare professionals (HCPs) to exceptional situations that can lead to increased anxiety (ie, infection anxiety and perceived vulnerability), traumatic stress and depression. We will investigate the development of these psychological disturbances in HCPs at the treatment front line and second line during the COVID-19 pandemic over a 12-month period in different countries. Additionally, we will explore whether personal resilience factors and a work-related sense of coherence influence the development of mental health problems in HCPs.Methods and analysisWe plan to carry out a sequential qualitative–quantitative mixed-methods design study. The quantitative phase consists of a longitudinal online survey based on six validated questionnaires, to be completed at three points in time. A qualitative analysis will follow at the end of the pandemic to comprise at least nine semistructured interviews. The a priori sample size for the survey will be a minimum of 160 participants, which we will extend to 400, to compensate for dropout. Recruitment into the study will be through personal invitations and the ‘snowballing’ sampling technique. Hierarchical linear regression combined with qualitative data analysis, will facilitate greater understanding of any associations between resilience and mental health issues in HCPs during pandemics.Ethics and disseminationThe study participants will provide electronic informed consent. All recorded data will be stored on a secured research server at the study site, which will only be accessible to the investigators. The Bern Cantonal Ethics Committee has waiv ed the need for ethical approval (Req-2020–00355, 1 April 2020). There are no ethical, legal or security issues regarding the data collection, processing, storage and dissemination in this project.Trial registration numberISRCTN13694948.

Mental Disorder Symptoms Among Nurses in Canada

2020 ◽  
pp. 084456212096189
Author(s):  
Andrea M. Stelnicki ◽  
R. Nicholas Carleton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Cumulative Stress ◽  
Canadian Population ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Healthcare Administrators ◽  
Clinically Significant

Background Nurses face regular exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events as part of their occupational responsibilities. Cumulative stress due to repeated exposure to such events is associated with poor mental health and an increased risk of developing clinically significant symptoms consistent with some mental disorders. Purpose The current study was designed to estimate rates of mental disorder symptoms among nurses in Canada and identify demographic characteristics that are associated with increased risk for mental disorder symptoms. Method An online survey was conducted with Canadian nurses in both English and French. Participants were recruited largely through the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) member unions, non-CFNU member unions, and social media. The survey assessed current mental disorder symptoms using well-validated screening measures. Results A total of 4267 participants (93.8% women) completed the survey. Almost half of participants screened positive for a mental disorder (i.e., 47.9%). No gender differences emerged. Significant differences in proportions of positive screens based on each measure were found across demographic groups (e.g., age, province of residence, type of nurse). Conclusions The rate of positive screens appears much higher than mental disorder prevalence rates in the general Canadian population, but there were important methodological differences. The current results provide potentially important information to support researchers and healthcare administrators to investigate possible ways to mitigate and manage mental health in nursing workplaces.

scholarly journals Mental Health and Psychological Impact during COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey of Portuguese Higher Education Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
Carlos Laranjeira ◽  
Maria Anjos Dixe ◽  
Olga Valentim ◽  
Zaida Charepe ◽  
Ana Querido
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Portuguese Higher Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological impact on vulnerable groups, particularly students. The present study aims to investigate the mental and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors in a sample of Portuguese higher education students. An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 1522 higher education students selected by convenience sampling. The survey assessed mental health symptoms as well as sociodemographic variables, health-related perceptions, and psychological factors. Results were fitted to binary and multivariable logistic regression models. The overall prevalences of stress, anxiety, and depression were 35.7%, 36.2%, and 28.5%, respectively. Poor mental health outcomes were related with being female, having no children, living with someone with chronic disease, facing hopelessness, and lacking resilient coping. Future studies focusing on better ways to promote mental health and wellbeing among students are warranted. It is necessary to gather more evidence on the post-pandemic mental health using robust study designs and standardized assessment tools.

scholarly journals Adolescent Social Media User Types and their Mental Health and Well-being: results from a longitudinal survey of 13–14-year-olds in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizzy Winstone ◽  
Becky Mars ◽  
CMA Haworth ◽  
Jon Heron ◽  
Judi Kidger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background There is mixed evidence as to the effects of different types of social media use on mental health, but previous research has been platform-specific and has focused on an oversimplified distinction between active and passive use. This study aimed to identify different underlying subgroups of adolescent social media user based on their pattern of social media activities and test associations between user type and future mental health. Methods Students from nineteen schools (N=2,456) in south-west England completed an online survey measuring thirteen social media activities and four psychosocial outcomes (past year self-harm, depression, anxiety and poor well-being) at age 13 years (October 2019) and repeated a year later (October 2020; aged 14 years). Latent class analysis using Mplus identified distinct classes of social media user. A bias-adjusted three-step model was used to test associations between class membership at baseline and mental health at follow-up. Analyses were adjusted for gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, disability, social media screen-time and baseline mental health.Results A four-class model of social media user at baseline was selected based on fit statistics and interpretability. User types were labelled High Communicators; Moderate Communicators; Broadcasters; and Minimal users. Broadcasters at age 13 had the poorest mental health outcomes at age 14, with mental health and well-being generally better in the two Communicator groups. Conclusions Findings suggest that adolescents with high levels of content sharing – in addition to socialising and browsing online – are most likely to be experiencing poor mental health a year later. Recommendations regarding social media use should move beyond screen-time to consider different user types, and mental health implications of their engagement with different online activities.

scholarly journals NHS CHECK: protocol for a cohort study investigating the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Lamb ◽  
Neil Greenberg ◽  
Matthew Hotopf ◽  
Rosalind Raine ◽  
Reza Razavi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Academic Publications

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound effects on the working lives of healthcare workers (HCWs), but the extent to which their well-being and mental health have been affected remains unclear. This longitudinal cohort study aims to recruit a cohort of NHS healthcare workers, conducting surveys at regular intervals to provide evidence about the prevalence of symptoms of mental disorders, investigate associated factors such as occupational contexts and support interventions available. Methods and Analysis All staff, students, and volunteers working in each of the 18 participating NHS Trusts in England will be sent emails inviting them to complete a survey at baseline, with email invitations for the follow up surveys being sent 6 and 12 months later. Opening in late April 2020, the baseline survey collects data on demographics, occupational and organisational factors, experiences of COVID-19, a number of validated measures of symptoms of poor mental health (e.g. depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder; PTSD), and measures of constructs such as resilience and moral injury. These regular surveys will be complemented by in-depth psychiatric interviews with a select sample of healthcare workers. Qualitative interviews will also be conducted, to gain deeper understanding of the support programmes used or desired by staff, and facilitators and barriers to accessing such programmes. Ethics and Dissemination Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Health Research Authority (reference: 20/HRA/210, IRAS: 282686) and local Trust Research and Development approval. Cohort data are being collected via Qualtrics online survey software, are pseudonymised and held on secure University servers. Participants are aware that they can withdraw from the study at any time, and there is signposting to support services for any participant who feels they need it. Only those consenting to be contacted about further research will be invited to participate in the psychiatric and qualitative interview components of the study. Findings will be rapidly shared with NHS Trusts to enable better support of staff during the pandemic, and via academic publications in due course.

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