Family Members’ Experiences in a Psychiatric Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Family-Centered Work in Mental Health Systems

Abstract

IntroductionRestricted visitations of family members of persons with mental illness in psychiatric hospitals which may occur during times of public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic can have potential adverse consequences on the family members and on their ability to fulfill the caregiving role. Therefore, mental health professionals may encounter difficulties implementing a family centered-care model during such periods.ObjectivesDue to the limited knowledge about the effects of the restrictions during the pandemic a study was conducted in Israel. It examined the difficulties which family members experienced as a result of the restricted visitations and the effects of the restrictions on advancing a family-centered care model,MethodsA semi-structured questionnaire was distributed via digital means to 75 family members who had a family member who was hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals during the pandemic.ResultsThe findings indicate that family members had limited opportunities in the following areas during the COVID-19 area: Developing relationships with the professional staff, being involved in the therapeutic process during the hospitalization, communicating with the hospitalized family member, and receiving help for themselves.ConclusionsMental health professionals in psychiatric hospitals should adapt family-centric procedures to circumvent restrictions on physical presence and maintain the involvement of family members during psychiatric hospitalization.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared