Authors (including presenting author) :
SHUM SY(1), LAW ST(1), LEUNG YY(1), POON WKV(1), LUI PY(1), YUE SY(1), LAU M(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Occupational Therapy Department, Shatin Hospital (SH)
Introduction :
Occupational therapists conduct therapeutic groups for psychiatric patients to enhance self-management skills and promote mental well-being. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, PGDU in SH was closed since February 2020 to reduce the risk of infection from social contacts and all therapeutic groups were suspended. In reaction to the pandemic, a transformation from face-to-face groups to online tele-rehab groups were done.
Objectives :
1. To maintain service continuity and monitor patients’ progress during pandemic
2. To provide psychoeducation on self-management skills
3. To facilitate social interactions in the group and enhance social support
Methodology :
2 modular-based self-management programs including 5 ways to well-being and healthy lifestyle intervention were selected as pilot tele-rehab programs. Patients were participated in the therapeutic groups by means of Zoom or WhatsApp video call. Multiple training sessions on application of Zoom or WhatsApp video call were provided to patients and carer in advance. Therapeutic groups were conducted weekly with 3 to 4 members each time. Each session lasted for 40 minutes. Patients’ satisfaction with the tele-rehab groups were assessed with post-intervention interview.
Result & Outcome :
From September 2020 to January 2021, 18 therapeutic groups were conducted and 5 patients in PGDU were served. 100% of patients reported a positive group experience and willing to participate in future tele-rehab group programs. 80% of patients reported technical challenges at the beginning but all of them felt more confident on using the applications after multiple training sessions. Moreover, 100% of patients were satisfied with staying socially connected during the pandemic and felt less lonely after joining the groups. 100% of patients agreed that the program content can be generalized to daily living.
To conclude, conducting therapeutic groups via tele-rehab was an effective way to support the mental health of the psychiatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. To improve the efficiency, more technical support and tele-rehab equipment were needed. Further enhancement in modular-based tele-rehab programs and expanding tele-rehab services to adult psychiatric day hospitals could definitely be beneficial to patient care.
