Abstract:
COVID-19 restrictions drove rapid adaptations to service delivery and new ways of working within Scotland\'s mental health sector. This study explores mental health workers\' (MHWs\') experiences of delivering their services remotely. Twenty participants, who had worked in mental health professions in the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, took part in online semi-structured interviews. Data was transcribed then analysed using an inductive thematic analysis. Two major themes are reported: (1) \'Improved Flexibility for both MHWs and Service Users\' and (2) \'Teletherapies Challenge Therapeutic Boundaries\'. In relation to (1) virtual platforms were seen as vital in maintaining patient care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and a valuable resource for service users (SUs) who had previously struggled with mobility or social anxieties when accessing face-to-face services. Some MHWs\' also noted benefits for their productivity and comfort. Regarding (2) MHWs highlighted that whilst conducting teletherapies from home, work-life boundaries became blurred and, in some instances, typically comforting spaces became associated with the traumatic content discussed by SUs. These stressors seemed to be compounded by MHWs\' isolation, as they were less able to draw upon their colleagues for support. Further, confidentiality could not be assured, as MHWs and SUs alike had to accommodate their family members. These findings highlight important insights from MHWs in adapting to rapid changes in mental health working practices, particularly in relation to the challenges of delivering quality, safe and equitable services and the increased use of teletherapies. Such insights are vital in informing service developments and supporting future pandemic preparedness across a range of healthcare contexts and countries seeking to adopt hybrid models of mental health service delivery.
摘要:
COVID-19的限制促使苏格兰精神卫生部门迅速适应服务提供和新的工作方式。这项研究探讨了精神卫生工作者(MHW)远程提供服务的经验。二十名与会者,在COVID-19大流行期间,他曾在苏格兰国家卫生服务机构(NHS)的精神卫生专业工作,参加了在线半结构化面试。转录数据,然后使用归纳主题分析进行分析。报告了两个主要主题:(1)“提高MHW和服务用户的灵活性”和(2)“远程治疗挑战治疗边界”。关于(1)虚拟平台被认为在整个COVID-19大流行期间对维持患者护理至关重要,并且是服务用户(SU)的宝贵资源,这些服务用户以前在访问面对面服务时曾因流动性或社交焦虑而苦苦挣扎。一些MHW还指出了其生产力和舒适度的好处。关于(2)MHW强调,在家中进行远程治疗的同时,工作与生活的界限变得模糊,在某些情况下,通常,舒适的空间与SU讨论的创伤性内容有关。这些压力源似乎因MHW的隔离而加剧,因为他们不太能够利用同事的支持。Further,保密性不能保证,因为MHW和SU都必须容纳他们的家庭成员。这些发现突出了MHW在适应心理健康工作实践的快速变化方面的重要见解,特别是关于交付质量的挑战,安全和公平的服务以及越来越多地使用远程治疗。这些见解对于在一系列医疗保健环境和寻求采用精神卫生服务提供混合模式的国家中告知服务发展和支持未来大流行准备至关重要。