An audit of a 'mental health check-in' initiative with HIV patients during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021)
Kelly P. Robertson J. Saunders F. Jones A. Lynton B. Navarro A. Gibson S.
HIV Medicine 2021;22(SUPPL 2): 78.
Background: Elevated rates of risk towards mental health difficulties have been consistently shown in people living with HIV (PLHIV). The mental health and wellbeing of PLHIV is critical for quality of life concerns, engagement with HIV services, medication adherence and disease progression. Emerging evidence illustrates the unprecedented psychosocial risk factors of the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdowns on negative mental health outcomes in the general population and the additional challenges PLHIV face. A 'mental health check-in' initiative was developed to identify patients under the care of the HIV service who may be at greater risk of mental health difficulties and proactively offer brief and long-term psychological support, signposting, risk assessment, and enhance relationship and trust with the service. There is a sustained need for evidence-based mental health initiatives and interventions that respond to the changing psychosocial needs and stressors for PLHIV.
Method(s): We identified HIV patients who had recently re-engaged with HIV services, had been assigned to a recently diagnosed pathway or had not responded to contact efforts following a referral to the HIV psychology service. Two rounds of telephone contact were attempted with patients in May 2020 (n = 77) and in February 2021 (n = ~50) by the psychology team and a HIV social worker. Response rate, presenting psychosocial difficulties, follow-up and referral information and qualitative feedback of the calls were recorded. Result(s): Successful contact with over half (n = 39) of patients identified was made in the first round of the initiative. Of these, 18 patients reported they were managing well, while the remaining patients who reported psychosocial difficulties did not require further contact (n = 7), requested onward (re)referral for psychological therapy (n = 5), and/or assessment of risk concerns (n = 2), brief psychological and skills-based interventions (n = 3), or follow-up with medical teams (n = 6). Predominantly positive qualitative feedback was recorded. The second round of the initiative is ongoing. Conclusion(s): This audit highlights the value of responsive mental health initiatives for PLHIV in the COVID-19 pandemic, who may face additional psychosocial stressors. The range of support provided and requested contributes to our understanding of 'relationship to help' in PLHIV, psychosocial stressors experienced during a global health crisis, and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care in HIV services. Future initiatives should identify novel ways of navigating the digital divide and digital poverty.