ABSTRACT
Introduction: Psychological issues of COVID-19 suspect and positive patients in isolation and quarantine facilities can be addressed using mHealth. Methodology: mHealth telecounselling framework for COVID-19 inpatients was established using existing manpower and standardised operating procedures. Separate WhatsApp groups were used to obtain contact data of consenting patients, allocate patients to counsellors, and clinical discussion. Telecounselling was documented in real-time in a Google form database and remotely monitored for adherence to the standard of care. Pilot anonymised scale based client satisfaction feedback was obtained from discharged patients using a Google form link shared on WhatsApp. Results: 2918 telecounselling sessions were conducted between 21 March and 25 June 2020 for 643 inpatients (280 COVID-19 positive and 363 COVID suspect but later determined negative;mean age 49.57 years ± 15.23;male: female = 404: 239). Psychological issues included anxiety (43.54%), low mood (9.79%), irritability (9.33%), insomnia (8.39%) boredom (8.24%), frustration (7.46%), fearfulness (3.57%) anger (1.24%) and Delusion of pregnancy in one non-compliant psychotic patient. Interventions provided were supportive psychotherapy (57.69%), psychoeducation (52.72%), counselling regarding testing protocol (41.21%), sleep hygiene (20.06%), relaxation techniques (14.61%), activity scheduling (6.22%). Only 9 (1.39%) patients needed pharmacotherapy. Most respondents expressed satisfaction on pilot anonymised feedback (n = 115: M: F = 73: 42) with 83% recommending the programme for other COVID-19 settings despite concerns for possible lack of privacy and confidentiality (31.1%). Conclusion: Telemental Health Counselling Programme is a low cost, feasible, culturally acceptable, and sustainable mHealth initiative which can be easily transposed in other COVID-19 settings. © 2021, Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine. All rights reserved.