Department of Psychiatry COVID-19 Research Strategy

 

COVID-19: The Role of Psychological Factors in the Spreading of Disease, Discrimination, and Distress

UBC Project Lead: Dr. Steven Taylor

This study is designed to identify the profiles of fear and anxiety responses to COVID-19, and how they might influence behaviour, using a large multiple time point survey of Canadian and US participants.

 

Clozapine prescribing and COVID-19

UBC Project Lead: Dr. William G. Honer

An international subgroup of the Treatment Response and Resistance in Psychosis Working Group prepared a statement describing the challenges, and providing recommendations for clozapine prescribing related to COVID-19. The statement is freely available: Siskind D, Honer WG et al. Consensus statement on the use of clozapine during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2020;45(4):200061.

 

Impact of COVID-19 on a vulnerable, inner city group with multimorbid illness, living in precarious housing

UBC Project Lead: Dr. William G. Honer

People who may be homeless or living in substandard accommodation may be at greater risk for COVID-19, particularly if they have concurrent infections such as with HIV that can decrease the immune response, and capacity for recovery. Living situations can also create challenges for physical distancing, or self-isolation should illness occur. This study assesses the value of regular, monthly check-ins with people living in these situations, and evaluates the potential contribution of a screening blood test for prevention and for public health efforts to support this vulnerable population.

 

Evolution and predictors of neuropsychiatric symptoms after COVID critical illness

UBC Project Lead: Dr. Will Panenka

The study examines individuals with COVID19 disease admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Vancouver General Hospital. It aims to link fluid biomarkers and indices of severity of acute COVID19 to neurological and psychiatric symptoms during the acute phase and to psychiatric outcomes at 3 and 12 months post-recovery.

 

Student e-mental health project: Impact of COVID-19 on student well-being

UBC Project Lead: Dr. Daniel Vigo

As part of a survey on student mental health, substance use and wellbeing, this study is tracking the geographical and social proximity of COVID-19 to campus through a weekly online survey of 350 random stratified students. For each student, the study ascertains across time the number of people with COVID-19 they know, their location (outside Canada, in Canada, in Vancouver, in the same course, at home), and whether they are acquaintances, friends, or family. The association of these exposures, as well as financial, health-related, and general stress, is examined in relation to students’ mental health.

 

Medical Staff Wellness during COVID-19

UBC Project Lead: Dr. Paul Dagg

The study uses a “pop up ECHO” format to address medical staff wellness across the Interior Health Authority.

 

Tele-psychiatry assessment during COVID19

UBC Project Leads: Dr. David Kealy, Dr. Gabrielle Bosse-Chartier

The study examines the feasibility and effectiveness of tele-psychiatry assessments provided through Access & Assessment Centre, Vancouver General Hospital.  The study evaluates patient concerns and characteristics (including distress related to COVID-19 and social distancing) with regards to the tele-psychiatry interview itself as a means of reducing patients' distress and facilitating engagement in further care.

 

Men's Experiences of the COVID Pandemic

UBC Project Leads: Dr. John Oliffe (Nursing), Dr. David Kealy

Survey using online questionnaires aiming to better understand men's (aged 18 years or older) experiences related to the COVID pandemic.

 

APEC Digital Hub for Mental Health Disaster Resilience and Trauma Working Group- COVID-19 Response

UBC Project Leads: Dr. Raymond Lam, Dr. Jill Murphy, Dr. Erin Michalak

The APEC Digital Hub for Mental Health, hosted at UBC, has convened a working group of experts from across the Asia Pacific to provide a coordinated response to the mental health effects of COVID-19 in the region. We have submitted a CIHR rapid-response Knowledge Synthesis grant entitled “Harnessing digital mental health to improve equity in mental health care in the context of COVID-19: Needs, best-practices and opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.” If successful, this grant will bring together researchers, healthcare providers, policy makers and people with lived experience in nine countries with the objective of synthesizing and mobilizing evidence to inform delivery of digital mental health care for at-risk populations across the region.

 

Rapid Review: Knowledge Synthesis to Support and Promote Mental Wellness and Resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic

UBC Project Leads: Dr. Haroon Ahmad (PGY2 Resident), Dr. Joseph Puyat (SPPH)

Without a vaccine, effective treatment and herd immunity, public health approaches to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to depend on measures such as isolation, quarantine, physical distancing, and personal hygiene. Some of these measures when prolonged and implemented en masse can have severe unintended consequences on mental health. Because access to the in-person health care system may be limited during the COVID-19 public health emergency, alternative, home-based activities and resources that have potential therapeutic and protective value against symptoms of mental illness need to be explored and identified. Our objective is to synthesize the available evidence on home-based activities and resources that can improve and maintain population mental health in times of public health restrictions.