Scholarlink

Objective <p>The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in substantial changes to clinical work, particularly the rise of telehealth, with indeterminate benefits and challenges for healthcare providers (HCPs). HCPs serving American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients may face additional challenges working in the unique healthcare systems designed for these populations.</p> Methods <p>Seventy-seven providers working at five healthcare organizations that serve urban AI/AN peoples completed questionnaires between January and May 2021. The questionnaire examined mental health symptoms using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 6 (K-6) and assessed self-reported emotional health compared to pre-pandemic levels, and inquired about potential risks of distress including demographics, telehealth use, work hours, and COVID-19 related stressors. We assessed the associations between risk factors and K-6 scores using a series of univariate Ordinary Least Squares regressions.</p> Results <p>Multiple factors were significantly associated with higher distress, including female sex, level of concern about self and colleagues contracting COVID-19, and number of hours worked per week. AI/AN identity was a protective factor for distress. Telehealth use increased from 37% pre-pandemic to 84% during the pandemic, but providing telehealth was not associated with distress.</p> Conclusions <p>Psychological distress among HCPs who work in clinics which primarily treat AI/AN patients from January to May 2021 was linked to heightened occupational demands, collective wellbeing, and demographic factors. Support strategies in AI/AN-serving healthcare institutions should leverage the protective assets of cultural identity and collective resilience.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Provider Mental Health and Telehealth Utilization During COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Survey of Providers at Clinics Treating Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月23日

查看全文
  • Austin Henderson,
  • Cole Haskins,
  • Ann F. Collier,
  • Richard Maclehose,
  • Spero M. Manson,
  • Dedra Buchwald

摘要

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in substantial changes to clinical work, particularly the rise of telehealth, with indeterminate benefits and challenges for healthcare providers (HCPs). HCPs serving American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients may face additional challenges working in the unique healthcare systems designed for these populations.

Methods

Seventy-seven providers working at five healthcare organizations that serve urban AI/AN peoples completed questionnaires between January and May 2021. The questionnaire examined mental health symptoms using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 6 (K-6) and assessed self-reported emotional health compared to pre-pandemic levels, and inquired about potential risks of distress including demographics, telehealth use, work hours, and COVID-19 related stressors. We assessed the associations between risk factors and K-6 scores using a series of univariate Ordinary Least Squares regressions.

Results

Multiple factors were significantly associated with higher distress, including female sex, level of concern about self and colleagues contracting COVID-19, and number of hours worked per week. AI/AN identity was a protective factor for distress. Telehealth use increased from 37% pre-pandemic to 84% during the pandemic, but providing telehealth was not associated with distress.

Conclusions

Psychological distress among HCPs who work in clinics which primarily treat AI/AN patients from January to May 2021 was linked to heightened occupational demands, collective wellbeing, and demographic factors. Support strategies in AI/AN-serving healthcare institutions should leverage the protective assets of cultural identity and collective resilience.