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Telehealth During COVID-19: Suicide Prevention and American Indian Communities in Montana.
Pruitt, Zachary; Chapin, Kate P; Eakin, Haley; Glover, Annie L.
  • Pruitt Z; College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
  • Chapin KP; Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development, University of Montana Missoula, Missoula, Montana, USA.
  • Eakin H; Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development, University of Montana Missoula, Missoula, Montana, USA.
  • Glover AL; Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development, University of Montana Missoula, Missoula, Montana, USA.
Telemed J E Health ; 28(3): 325-333, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1254372
ABSTRACT

Background:

Public health measures that prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, may increase the risk for suicide among American Indians due to decreased social connectedness that is crucial to wellbeing. Telehealth represents a potential solution, but barriers to effective suicide prevention may exist. Materials and

Methods:

In collaboration with Tribal and Urban Indian Health Center providers, this study measured suicide prevention practices during COVID-19. A 44-item Likert-type, web-based survey was distributed to Montana-based professionals who directly provide suicide prevention services to American Indians at risk for suicide. Descriptive statistics were calculated for survey items, and Mann-Whitney U tests examined the differences in telehealth use, training, skills among Montana geographic areas, and barriers between providers and their clients/patients.

Results:

Among the 80 respondents, two-thirds agreed or strongly agreed that American Indians experienced greater social disconnection since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Almost 98% agreed that telehealth was needed, and 93% were willing to use telehealth for suicide prevention services. Among current users, 75% agreed telehealth was effective for suicide prevention. Over one-third of respondents reported using telehealth for the first time during COVID-19 pandemic, and 30% use telehealth at least "usually" since the COVID-19 pandemic began, up from 6.3%. Compared with their own experiences, providers perceive their American Indian client/patients as experiencing greater barriers to telehealth.

Discussion:

Telehealth was increasingly utilized for suicide prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities to improve telehealth access should be explored, including investments in telehealth technologies for American Indians at risk for suicide.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Telemedicine / COVID-19 / Suicide Prevention Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Telemed J E Health Journal subject: Medical Informatics / Health Services Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Tmj.2021.0104

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Telemedicine / COVID-19 / Suicide Prevention Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: Telemed J E Health Journal subject: Medical Informatics / Health Services Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Tmj.2021.0104