"We All had to Respond to the Pandemic and our Patient Needs": Social Workers' Perspectives of Integrated Healthcare Agencies' Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

[...]data comparison between pre-pandemic mental health studies and an analysis for the beginning of the pandemic showed a dramatic increase in prevalence of mental health problems that included depression and anxiety (Wu et al., 2020). According to Kamnitzer and colleagues (2020), social workers proactively supported patients when the pandemic hit. [...]the current study will add to the emerging literature by asking how did integrated healthcare agencies respond to behavioral health care needs during the pandemic from the point of view of social workers in these settings. [...]VAGLAHS used the combined efforts of interdisciplinary leaderships and a widespread laboratory surveillance program in their skilled nursing facility, inpatient psychiatry unit, inpatient admissions, temporary shelter units, residential rehabilitation treatment center, and dialysis patients (Jatt et al., 2020).

Rapid mixed-methods assessment of COVID-19 impact on Latinx sexual minority men and Latinx transgender women.

We conducted a rapid, mixed-methods assessment to understand how COVID-19 affected Latinx sexual minority men (LSMM) and transgender women (LTGW). Using a computer-assisted telephone interviewing software, one interviewer called 52 participants (randomly sampled from a larger HIV prevention pilot study aiming to increase HIV knowledge and testing frequency; n = 36 LSMM and n = 16 LTGW) between 04/27/20-05/18/20. We quantified core domains using the Epidemic-Pandemic Impacts Inventory scale and provided important context through open-ended qualitative questions assessing: 1) COVID-19 infection history and experiences with quarantine; 2) Health and healthcare access; 3) Employment and economic impact of COVID-19. Participants reported increases in physical conflict or verbal arguments with a partner (13.5%) or other adult(s) (19.2%) due to stressors associated with the safer-at-home order. Participants also reported increased alcohol consumption (23.1%), problems with sleep (67.3%) and mental health (78.4%). Further, disruptions in access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP-a daily pill to prevent HIV-occurred (33.3% of 18 participants who reported being on PrEP). Many said they received less medical attention than usual (34.6%), and LTGW reported delays in critical gender-affirming hormones/procedures. Half of the participants lost their jobs (50.0%); many undocumented participants relayed additional financial concerns because they did not qualify for financial assistance. Though no COVID-19 infections were noted, COVID-19 dramatically impacted other aspects of health and overall wellbeing of LSMM and LTGW. Public health responses should address the stressors faced by LSMM and LTGW during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on wellbeing.