The acceptability of a self-guided psychological intervention for patients with COVID-19 in isolation and quarantine

Abstract

Background: A significant number of patients not requiring intensive care would experience psychological symptoms and distress. This may necessitate mental health care services which may be not be feasible given the number of patients involved and paucity of mental health care workers. An innovative solution for such a scenario may be in the form of a self-guided psychological intervention. The aim of the study was to test the acceptability of a brief self-guided psychological intervention for patients in quarantine and isolation with COVID-19.Methods: The authors developed a brief, self-guided psychological intervention handout targeted towards reducing psychological distress and enhancing the coping of patients in quarantine and isolation due to COVID-19. This was developed concurrently in English, Hindi and Punjabi languages. This was administered to 60 patients. Assessments were done at baseline and at two weeks.Results: Assessments were completed in 51 patients (21 isolated and 30 quarantined). A majority of the patients in both groups found the intervention to be appropriate in form and content, relevant to the situation, had a positive emotional impact on them, enhanced their understanding of the situation and was perceived as being useful overall. The intervention was found to be highly acceptable.Conclusions: The study demonstrates the acceptability and feasibility of using this intervention in patients in isolation and quarantine due to COVID-19. The intervention lends itself to ease of use and can be scaled up at little cost.