Demand for publicly funded mental health services in chronic patients during COVID-19 pandemic (Poland 2018–2023)
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Corresponding author
Mateusz Grajek
Zakład Zdrowia Publicznego, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, ul. Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom
Ann. Acad. Med. Siles. 2025;79:64-69
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The mental health needs of chronically ill individuals have been a persistent challenge in public health, further exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study explores changes in mental health service utilization among this population in Poland across three periods: pre-pandemic (2018–2019), pandemic (2020–2021), and post-pandemic (2022–2023). The aim of the study was to analyze trends in the use of mental health services by chronically ill individuals, identify regional and diagnostic disparities, as well as assess the impact of the pandemic on service delivery.
Material and methods:
This retrospective observational study utilized anonymized data from the National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia – NFZ) database. It included the annual number of patients, service types, regional distribution, and diagnoses. Statistical analyses assessed the differences across periods and regions, including t-tests, chi-square tests, and ANOVA.
Results:
Mental health service utilization increased by 40% during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, with teleconsultations rising to 50% of services. Post-pandemic utilization decreased by 15% but remained 20% higher than the pre-pandemic levels. Significant regional disparities were noted, with urban areas experiencing greater increases in service use than rural regions. Cancer-related, respiratory, and cardiovascular conditions accounted for the most significant rises in patient numbers.
Conclusions:
The pandemic significantly altered the landscape of mental health service delivery for chronically ill individuals. Sustaining innovations like telehealth and addressing regional disparities are crucial to ensure equitable access to care and meet the ongoing mental health needs of this vulnerable population.
REFERENCES (9)
1.
Akif A., Qusar M.M.A.S., Islam M.R. The impact of chronic diseases on mental health: an overview and recommendations for care programs. Curr. Psychiatry Rep. 2024; 26(7): 394–404, doi: 10.1007/s11920-024-01510-7.
2.
Dimsdale J.E. Psychological stress and cardiovascular disease. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2008; 51(13): 1237–1246, doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2007.12.024.
3.
Holmes E.A., O’Connor R.C., Perry V.H., Tracey I., Wessely S., Arseneault L. et al. Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for action for mental health science. Lancet Psychiatry 2020; 7(6): 547–560, doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30168-1.
4.
Moreno C., Wykes T., Galderisi S., Nordentoft M., Crossley N., Jones N. et al. How mental health care should change as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet Psychiatry 2020; 7(9): 813–824, doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30307-2.
5.
Edwards A., Hung R., Levin J.B., Forthun L., Sajatovic M., McVoy M. Health disparities among rural individuals with mental health conditions: a systematic literature review. Rural Ment. Health 2023; 47(3): 163–178, doi: 10.1037/rmh0000228.
6.
Pfefferbaum B., North C.S. Mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic. N. Engl. J. Med. 2020; 383(6): 510–512, doi: 10.1056/NEJMp2008017.
7.
Czeisler M.É., Lane R.I., Petrosky E., Wiley J.F., Christensen A., Njai R. et al. Mental health, substance use, and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic – United States, June 24–30, 2020. MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 2020; 69(32): 1049–1057, doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6932a1.
8.
Smith A.C., Thomas E., Snoswell C.L., Haydon H., Mehrotra A., Clemensen J. et al. Telehealth for global emergencies: Implications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). J. Telemed. Telecare 2020; 26(5): 309–313, doi: 10.1177/1357633X20916567.
9.
Ezenwaji C.O., Alum E.U., Ugwu O.P. The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health? Glob. Health Action 2024; 17(1): 2419694, doi: 10.1080/16549716.2024.2419694.