Investigating the Effectiveness of Tele-Counseling on Mental Health of Staff in Coronavirus Reference Clinics and Hospitals

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of tele-counseling on the mental health of staff in hospitals and coronavirus reference clinics where the screening and referral of suspected individuals are carried out in Iran. Methods: In the first stage, using convenience sampling method, 313 staff in the reference clinics and hospitals answered to the online demographic questions, The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI). In the second step, seven intensive tele-counseling sessions were hold for 51 staff in the intervention group and their scores were compared with the scores of 44 staff in the control group who agreed to participate in the study. Outcomes: In the first stage, anxiety and depression related to coronavirus were 79.2% and 82.1%. The mean of health anxiety scores was 17.42. Depression related to coronavirus and anxiety of negative consequences not-significantly reduced after the sessions in the intervention group in comparison to the control group (p=0.08 and 0.12) at end of study. Anxiety related to coronavirus and anxiety of illness likelihood were significantly lower than control group in the intervention group at the end of the study (p=0.001 and 0.001). Interpretation: It seems continuous surveillance and monitoring of the psychological consequences for medical staff in outbreaks should be emphasized as a part of preparedness efforts worldwide. Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial (IRCT code: IRCT20170611034452N11) Funding Statement: This research was supported in part by the deputy of research, Kerman University of Medical Sciences (grant No. 98001242). Declaration of Interests: None to be declared. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the medical ethics committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences (ethical code: IR.KMU.REC.1398.737). The study was also conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.