Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
10-5-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
13-5-2021 12:00 AM
Description
Background: Many individuals in the United States have anecdotally reported a decline in their mental health due to worry and stress over the COVID-19 pandemic. Although much research has been dedicated to populations across the country, patients and employees at community health centers have been overlooked in terms of the effect of pandemic conditions on their mental health. The present study seeks to understand how the mental health of these populations has been impacted and offer recommendations for what can be done to address any unmet mental health needs.
Methods: Survey responses were compiled from patients and employees of the Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) in July 2020 to better understand the mental health needs of its patients and employees (n = 83 patients; 64 employees). Survey items and recommendations were developed with feedback from CHI department heads. Chi-square goodness of fit tests were used to analyze the Likert scale survey answers to determine statistical significance.
Results: 35% of patients and 45% of employees report having new or worsening mental health concerns since the pandemic began (p = 0.895 and 0.396, respectively). 60% of employees report experiencing burnout more frequently since the pandemic began (p = 0.00102). 48% of employees and 50% of patients report that they feel they would benefit from additional mental health resources (p = 0.0253 and 0.000139, respectively). Poorer quality of sleep, increased feelings of anxiety, lack of energy, inability to focus, and depression were the most common adverse mental health experiences during the pandemic reported by both patients and employees in this study.
Conclusion: More research is needed to examine changes in the mental health of patients and employees at community health centers due to stressors related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Although most patients and employees in this study reported no new or worsening mental health concerns during this time, they report a desire for more readily available resources and strategies to maintain their mental health in the future.
Embargo Period
6-14-2021
Assessment of Patient and Employee Mental Health During COVID-19
Suwanee, GA
Background: Many individuals in the United States have anecdotally reported a decline in their mental health due to worry and stress over the COVID-19 pandemic. Although much research has been dedicated to populations across the country, patients and employees at community health centers have been overlooked in terms of the effect of pandemic conditions on their mental health. The present study seeks to understand how the mental health of these populations has been impacted and offer recommendations for what can be done to address any unmet mental health needs.
Methods: Survey responses were compiled from patients and employees of the Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) in July 2020 to better understand the mental health needs of its patients and employees (n = 83 patients; 64 employees). Survey items and recommendations were developed with feedback from CHI department heads. Chi-square goodness of fit tests were used to analyze the Likert scale survey answers to determine statistical significance.
Results: 35% of patients and 45% of employees report having new or worsening mental health concerns since the pandemic began (p = 0.895 and 0.396, respectively). 60% of employees report experiencing burnout more frequently since the pandemic began (p = 0.00102). 48% of employees and 50% of patients report that they feel they would benefit from additional mental health resources (p = 0.0253 and 0.000139, respectively). Poorer quality of sleep, increased feelings of anxiety, lack of energy, inability to focus, and depression were the most common adverse mental health experiences during the pandemic reported by both patients and employees in this study.
Conclusion: More research is needed to examine changes in the mental health of patients and employees at community health centers due to stressors related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Although most patients and employees in this study reported no new or worsening mental health concerns during this time, they report a desire for more readily available resources and strategies to maintain their mental health in the future.