Description

On the heels of the devastating surge of infections, hospitalizations and deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health experts are sounding the alarm about a second, more insidious surge on the way: an anticipated wave of anxiety, trauma, depression, substance use and more. The symposium will discuss what those on healthcare's front lines can expect to see in terms of the behavioral health consequences of COVID-19, how to address those needs, and what resources exist at Mass General Brigham to help our primary care patients.

The symposium will cover a variety of topics over a series of 6 sessions, general highlights below:

• Identifying and treating health anxiety and somatization due to COVID-19 in primary care and across collaborative care teams.
• Addressing reactions to loneliness, financial strain and other adversity (e.g., unhealthy drinking and suicidality)
• Trauma, grief and survivor guilt
• Skills training on therapeutic techniques that can be used by all providers in talking with patients
• Livestream panels, lectures and Q&A discussions

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the medium- and long-term mental health consequences and coping mechanisms expected as a result of COVID-19;
2. Differentiate when patients need formal treatment vs. referral (including in the context of virtual assessments);
3. Provide prevention and support services for unhealthy coping, for example, substance misuse when faced with adversity (i.e. financial distress and unemployment);
4. Identify tools and skills, for example, CBT and CAM, as well as programmatic resources available to support patients.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for Primary Care Teams managing behavioral health (care managers/behavioral health support specialists, social workers, PCPs, psychiatric consultants).

Course Director

Trina E. Chang, MD, MPH
Associate Medical Director for Behavioral Health Integration,
Quality and Patient Experience,
Mass General Brigham

Accreditation

Partners HealthCare System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Partners HealthCare System designates this live activity for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing

This program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing at 244 CMR 5.00 for 7.2 contact hours

Social Work

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at DKOBRIN@PARTNERS.ORG  or llouison@partners.org for the status of social work CE accreditation

Schedule

Provided By

The Quality and Patient Experience Team & Partners HealthCare System