Adaptation of psychiatric practice in public and private mental health institutions of the City of Buenos Aires during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: One of the most significant indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be seen on the mental health of the population. On this study, we will take into account the adapting capacity that the most representative mental health services (MHS) of Buenos Aires (BA) City have had as to this new situation. Methods: We designed an online survey including 10 self-administered closed questions, strictly anonymous. It has been sent to targeted professionals who work in public and private MHS of BA after 2 months of the beginning of the lockdown. Results: We got 38 answers. 2 professionals rejected to answer. 34% belonged to private institutions and 66% to  public ones. 81% of the total were able to implement online assistance but only 24% had been trained on how to treat patients in this context. 69% of the private and 12% of tools. 69% of the private and 36% of the public sector professionals informed to have prepared materials for the users on telemedicine resources. 68% mentioned that their service was properly organized. 40% of the public sector professionals may have been reassigned to work on tasks related to the pandemic. 40% of the total informed a reduced capacity of assistance. Conclusions: The MHS of BA may have been able to migrate their assistance to telemedicine, however we have noticed differences in the training levels. A better capacity of training on this modality might be needed.