Mental Health Screening of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis through Telehealth During COVID-19: Evaluation of Feasibility and Process Adoption

• Published in: Families systems & health 2022-09, Vol.40 (3), p.397-402
• Main Authors: Bruschwein, Heather M., Soper, Morgan, Jennings, Deirdre, Somerville, Lindsay, List, Rhonda, Compton, Martina H., Turner, Rachel, Albon, Dana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety; COVID-19; Cystic Fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis - complications; Cystic Fibrosis - diagnosis; Cystic Fibrosis - psychology; Diagnosis; Evaluation; Feasibility Studies; Female; Health screening; Human; Humans; Major Depression; Male; Medical screening; Mental disorders; Mental Health; Mental Health Screening; Mental Health Services; Methods; Patients; Psychological aspects; Telemedicine
• ISSN: 1091-7527; 1939-0602
• DOI: 10.1037/fsh0000698

Introduction: Persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) have higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to the general population. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation guidelines recommend annual screening for depression and anxiety for people with CF. COVID-19 and related social distancing has created challenges for administration of mental health screening by CF centers. The aim of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing mental health screening during multidisciplinary telehealth appointments for adult patients with CF during COVID-19, adoption of screening by CF mental health providers, and patient screening results before and after introduction of telehealth. Method: Patients were screened via telehealth using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 between April and October 2020. Results: CF mental health providers implemented a mental health screening process via telehealth and 93.9% of patients seen during that time completed the screening. The screening did not increase clinic visit length and no significant differences were found between rates of depression and anxiety and 2019 clinic rates. Discussion: Implementation of mental health screening during a multidisciplinary telehealth clinic is feasible and can be adopted by providers and patients, even when health systems operations are impacted by COVID-19. It allows CF centers to maintain adherence to mental health screening and treatment guidelines. This method of screening can be applied to other patient populations and systems of care to expand access to mental health services during COVID-19 and beyond. Public Significance Statement Implementation of mental health screening via telehealth for people with cystic fibrosis during COVID-19 is feasible and adoptable by providers and patients. This method can be applied to other populations and systems of care to expand access to mental health services.