The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to determine the effect of two behavioral interventions: brief cognitive-behavioral therapy and crisis intervention therapy through telepsychiatry, over the level of perceived stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in medical residents and medical staff at three hospitals in two cities of Honduras.
The psychotherapeutic interventions are going to be delivered from June to August at each
participating center. Subjects will be allocated randomly in each of the two interventional
arms independently by stratification in each participating center. The population for
intervention will be medical staff from three different national hospitals in the frontline
during the pandemic. After valid informed consent, a screening process will take place to
identify symptoms as baseline evaluation using validated self-assessment tools delivered
through electronic invitation. Post-intervention measurements will take place at 3 and 6
months from baseline. Intention to treat analysis and per-protocol analysis will take place.
CONSORT guidelines were followed.
Behavioral: Brief cognitive behavioral therapy
9 structured psychotherapy sessions, weekly, 60-90 minutes duration. Provided by one therapist and one co-therapist. Provided through telepsychiatry.
Behavioral: Crisis intervention therapy
3 structured sessions of crisis intervention. One session each week for three weeks. Provided by one therapist and one co-therapist. Provided through telepsychiatry.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Medical doctors and medical residents 18 years and older, from UNAH medical school and
Hospital de Occidente.
- Medical doctors and medical residents whom during the initial screening show positive
scores in Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-2
- Access to internet and an electronic device
Exclusion Criteria:
- Medical doctors and medical residents referring a history of psychiatric disorders
- Medical residents that belong to the Psychiatry Residency Program
- Medical residents and medical doctors that have been diagnosed with COVID-19
- Medical doctors and residents whom during evaluations show severe symptoms of
depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms
- Medical doctors and residents with negative screening in Patient Health
Questionnaire-2 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-2
- Participants that do not have access to internet connection or an electronic device.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras
Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán, Honduras