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The pattern of mental health consultations at a metropolitan university general practice clinic in Sydney before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Australian Journal of Primary Health ; 28(4):xliv, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2058253
ABSTRACT

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has created social and medical disruptions to the Australian community. The introduction of telehealth Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers in early March 2020 has shifted mental health consultations from face-to-face to telehealth. There is a literature gap pertaining to the ongoing trends that extend past the initial 'first wave' of the pandemic in the context of an Australian landscape. Aim/

Objective:

To describe the pattern of mental health care consultations in a university-based general practice in Sydney, specifically, the distribution of face-to-face, telephone and tele-video consultations, according to the change in socio-political landscape and lockdowns. The secondary aim is to explore the effect of age, ethnicity, birth sex and student status, and the severity of patient symptoms via K10/DASS21 scores. Method(s) Retrospective data will be obtained from records of 456 patients attending a university-based general practice in Sydney, Australia between four different 35-day time periods baseline pre- COVID-19 (1st February 2019 to 8th March 2019);first COVID-19 lockdown (31st March 2020 to 5th May 2020);second COVID-19 lockdown (20th August 2021 to 24th September 2021);post COVID-19 lockdown (1st February 2022 to 8th March 2022). Attendances will be defined by mental health MBS codes that correspond to mental health consultations, mental health care plans, and mental health care plan reviews, for face-to-face, telephone and tele-video consultations. K10/DASS21 scores will also be obtained. Statistical analysis will be performed using the two-sample t-test on SPSS. Finding(s) Data analysis is currently in progress. Results will be available by July 2022. Implications Given the recent temporary telehealth extension announced by the Australian Government on 16th January 2022, the findings of our study will illustrate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health consultations in various subgroups and provide additional data for policymakers to facilitate further examination in continuing MBS subsidisation.
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Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Australian Journal of Primary Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Australian Journal of Primary Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article