Digital health tool has been employed to increase access to care for the patient with SUD during COVID 19 pandemic.
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E-consult, a mobile-friendly tool, connects remote health care providers (HCPs) with addiction specialists.
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Consultation for the cases, as well as educative materials, was offered to the HCPs.
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This asynchronous telepsychiatry may be more suited for a busy specialist from a developing country like India.
Abstract
Objectives
The COVID 19 pandemic has created challenges in providing timely care for patients and families with Substance Use disorders (SUDs). With the difficulties in face-to-face consultations because of social distancing measures, telepsychiatry services can be beneficial. The study proposes implementing an e-consult for SUD management and measuring its acceptability among the health care providers (HCPs) in India.
Methods
The mobile-based e-consult for SUD, connecting HCPs with addiction specialists, was implemented during the COVID lockdown period in India from 25 March to 31 May (71 days). A total of 153 HCPs, i.e., doctors, nurses, counselors, consulted for 110 cases of SUD. Sixty-eight provided feedback by filling the survey form derived from the Service User Technology Acceptability Questionnaire (SUTAQ).
Result
More than 60% of HCPs reported overall high satisfaction. More than 98% providers reported high acceptability concerning"access to specialist care," "trusted to work appropriately", "saving time," "would like torecommend to others," easier to get touch with a specialist." The doctors reported significantly high acceptability about "access to specialist care," "satisfied with recommendations,"recommend to others" compared to other HCPs.
Conclusion
During COVID 19 pandemic lockdown in India, e-consult was an acceptable tool in managing SUDs. The majority of HCPs could discuss their cases with addiction experts. There is a need to expand this further in other mental health conditions.
