Repercussions of COVID-19 on psychiatric inpatient care in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed)
; 52(1): 58-64, 2023.
Article
in English, Spanish
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2291464
ABSTRACT
OBJETIVE To characterise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric hospitalisations in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. METHODS:
Descriptive study. 85 semi-structured interviews were conducted with health workers involved with psychiatric hospitalisations in general hospitals (GHs) and specialised psychiatric hospitals (SHs) from 18 LAC countries. The interviews were done between 8 May and 30 June 2020. The data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively.RESULTS:
An initial decrease in the demand for hospitalisation is reported, attributed to the population's fear of approaching health services as well as restrictions on mobility. Stricter criteria for hospitalisation were reported with a double focus on the acute within the acute. The length of hospitalisations were mixed, with both increases and decreases in GHs and SHs. The therapeutic offer was drastically reduced, and interaction between hospitalised people and their support networks was restricted.CONCLUSIONS:
In the COVID-19 context, hospitalisation seems to be not the last but the only alternative for psychiatric treatment. The decrease in the number of beds in SHs could be a positive aspect for the reform of psychiatric care, but it is questioned since this reduction also occurs in GHs.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Qualitative research
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
/
Spanish
Journal:
Rev Colomb Psiquiatr (Engl Ed)
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
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