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Jumper Westfall MBE, Dong F, Becker-Haimes EM, Miao L, Conroy C, Sarpal D, Abegunde C, Bennett M, Kohler CG, Calkins ME. COVID-19 Impacts on Pennsylvania Coordinated Specialty Care for Early Psychosis Participants. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2023; 17:e488. [PMID: 37697955 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2023.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic produced swift, extensive changes in daily life, including for first-episode psychosis (FEP) clients. This study examined pandemic-related psychosocial impacts to clients while engaged in Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC). We also examined FEP client vaccination rates, as vaccinations can reduce hospitalizations/deaths, and related worries. METHODS Thirty-one clients (45% female; ages 13-39; 26% black, 61% white) from Pennsylvania (PA) CSC outpatient programs completed an online survey evaluating exposure to COVID-19, associated worries, coping, and safety strategies. Descriptive statistics characterized responses and demographic group differences. Additional program evaluation data informed vaccination rates for PA FEP clients. RESULTS Participants reported substantial pandemic-related impacts to daily life. Many clients reported improved safety measures to protect themselves/others from COVID-19. Clients largely denied substantial worries about infection for themselves, reporting greater concern for loved ones. Multiple coping strategies were endorsed, which, with few exceptions, did not differ among demographic groups. FEP clients had a low reported rate of vaccination (28.6%) as of September 2021. CONCLUSIONS Observed prolonged pandemic effects may alter FEP client progress in CSC. Stakeholders should be prepared to adjust FEP treatment accordingly in the event of a similar disaster. Concentrated vaccination efforts may be necessary for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan B E Jumper Westfall
- Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center (PEIC)/HeadsUp, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Fanghong Dong
- Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center (PEIC)/HeadsUp, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emily M Becker-Haimes
- Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center (PEIC)/HeadsUp, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lucy Miao
- Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center (PEIC)/HeadsUp, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Catherine Conroy
- Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center (PEIC)/HeadsUp, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Deepak Sarpal
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Courtney Abegunde
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Melanie Bennett
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christian G Kohler
- Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center (PEIC)/HeadsUp, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Monica E Calkins
- Pennsylvania Early Intervention Center (PEIC)/HeadsUp, Neurodevelopment and Psychosis Section, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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