ABSTRACT
Purpose: Physical activity is an important component of treatment for people living with mental illness, and exercise practitioners are well placed to deliver these interventions. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lock-down regulations, exercise professionals have rapidly adapted to the online delivery of services to continue care for their clients. To date, the research surrounding the delivery of exercise sessions via telehealth for this population has been scarce. Therefore, this study aims to explore how exercise professionals working in mental health have adapted to telehealth, the barriers and facilitators they have experienced and the implications for the future. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative study using semi-structure interviews was conducted. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Nine exercise physiologists working in mental health settings in Australia participated in the interviews. Two main themes were explored. The first related to the implementation of telehealth and was divided into four sub-themes: service delivery, accessibility and suitability, technology barriers and facilitators, adaptations to exercise prescription. The second theme related to attitudes and was categorised into two sub-themes: attitudes towards telehealth and future recommendations. Practical implications: Telehealth appears to be a feasible and well accepted platform to deliver exercise sessions for people with mental illness, and this study provides guidance for clinicians including service and training recommendations. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine the experiences of exercise physiologists working in mental health and using telehealth. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Physical activity is an important component of treatment for people living with mental illness, and exercise practitioners are well placed to deliver these interventions. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lock-down regulations, exercise professionals have rapidly adapted to the online delivery of services to continue care for their clients. To date, the research surrounding the delivery of exercise sessions via telehealth for this population has been scarce. Therefore, this study aims to explore how exercise professionals working in mental health have adapted to telehealth, the barriers and facilitators they have experienced and the implications for the future. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative study using semi-structure interviews was conducted. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings: Nine exercise physiologists working in mental health settings in Australia participated in the interviews. Two main themes were explored. The first related to the implementation of telehealth and was divided into four sub-themes: service delivery, accessibility and suitability, technology barriers and facilitators, adaptations to exercise prescription. The second theme related to attitudes and was categorised into two sub-themes: attitudes towards telehealth and future recommendations. Practical implications: Telehealth appears to be a feasible and well accepted platform to deliver exercise sessions for people with mental illness, and this study provides guidance for clinicians including service and training recommendations. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the experiences of exercise physiologists working in mental health and using telehealth. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted renewed concerns and discussions around how to better protect the mental health (MH) of frontline healthcare workers. Objectives: To present the latest Australian and international data about doctors' MH and new results from innovative strategies being trialled to support the MH of healthcare workers. Methods: The first half of the symposium summarises what is known about doctors' MH, in terms of rates of depression and suicide (SB Harvey), changes over time (SB Harvey), the conceptualisation of burnout (N Glozier) and identifying workplace risk factors using quantitative (K Petrie) and qualitative (D Naehrig) methodologies. The second half of the symposium will present new research on the provision of MH support to doctors and other healthcare workers in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic (A Gayed;M Coleshill). Findings: A substantial number of doctors, particularly junior doctors, experience symptoms of depression and burnout, with new Australian data suggesting rates of suicide are increasing among female doctors. There are a range of workplace issues that appear to be modifiable risk factors of mental ill health. The results of new trials suggest that a range of workplace and clinical interventions, including MH training for senior doctors and a new, dedicated MH service, may be able to improve MH outcomes for doctors. Conclusion: This symposium will provide an engaging and informative discussion about the MH of doctors, with a focus on new data, emerging issues and potential solutions.
ABSTRACT
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at significant risk of poor mental health (MH) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. MH services are available, but many are not sensitive to the needs and workplace culture of HCWs. 'Blended care', which integrates digital and person-to-person care, may leverage the scalability and anonymity of digital health while offering a choice of care options. Objectives: To outline the design and evaluation of The Essential Network (TEN), a blended mental health service created for Australian HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We outline the development of TEN and service design methodologies, including stakeholder and user consultation, and strategies for adaptive service delivery. TEN was evaluated through an audit of service analytics (website analytics and clinical service analytics). A total of 105 HCWs also participated in an observational study to use TEN for 1 month. Participants completed MH and service acceptability measures at baseline and followup. Findings: TEN has serviced more than 57,000 HCWs. More than 7000 HCWs completed a digital MH assessment and received personalised referral to services. Engagement was highest for self-assessments and self-help resources. Preliminary results from the observational study indicate high service acceptability. Conclusion: TEN united peak professional bodies and service providers to create a digital hub offering HCWs a range of MH resources and help-seeking options. With more than 800,000 HCWs in Australia, uptake of the service has been relatively low. To leverage the potential of blended care, such services must be implemented in a way that ensures that HCWs feel safe to use them.