Razai, M.S., Oakeshott, P., Kankam, H., Galea, S. and Stokes-Lampard, H. (2020). Mitigating the psychological effects of social isolation during the covid-19 pandemic. BMJ, p.m1904. [online] Available at: https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1904 [Accessed 04 Apr. 2021].
Accessed from the world wide web at 15:00 hrs 04.04.21.
Abstract: Primary care could provide unique relationship-based continuity of care to patients with psychological effects from social isolation during the current covid-19 pandemic. Such patients could be identified with existing simple and validated screening tools. Telephone or online video consultations are safe and effective for providing support for mental health in primary care, including counselling, coaching, and befriending. Video consultations can provide additional visual information and therapeutic presence and are particularly useful for anxious patients. Social prescribing can improve the social and psychological wellbeing of patients by drawing from community resources such as the arts (for example, singing in a virtual choir, dancing, or online drawing classes). It can be delivered by trained non-clinical staff in primary care.