Journal CME, December 2022: Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with spinal cord injury: Mental health and use of telehealth-Article

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The study explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), focusing on mental health and the use of telehealth services. Conducted in British Columbia, Canada, it surveyed 71 individuals with SCI, split between rural (34%) and urban (66%) settings. <br /><br />Key findings include a significant rise in telehealth usage among the SCI population, increasing from 9.9% to 25.4% during the pandemic. Most telehealth users accessed services like family and specialist appointments more than once a month. Despite the increased usage, only about a fourth of respondents used telehealth, with many expressing positive sentiments towards it, yet indicating potential barriers to wider adoption.<br /><br />The study also highlights notable mental health challenges within this population during the pandemic. It reports that 31% of respondents exhibited probable depression (PHQ-9 score of 10 or more), and 7% showed probable generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7 score of 10 or more). The reported rates of probable depression were higher compared to pre-pandemic studies. Fear of COVID-19 and perceived vulnerability to disease scores were comparable to those found in the general population.<br /><br />The survey design included validated screening tools like PHQ-9, GAD-7, Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), and Perceived Vulnerability to Disease (PVD) questionnaire. Participants' responses provide insights into the dual impact of the pandemic on access to healthcare and mental well-being.<br /><br />The study concludes that while telehealth adoption has increased and is generally well-regarded, its utilization remains limited. Further research is suggested to understand barriers to telehealth adoption and to derive strategies for integrating telehealth into regular healthcare delivery post-pandemic. Additionally, understanding factors influencing mental health during the pandemic can help address the healthcare needs of the SCI population more effectively.

Keywords

COVID-19

spinal cord injury

mental health

telehealth

British Columbia

depression

anxiety

healthcare access

pandemic impact

telehealth barriers