Feasibility and acceptability of VA CONNECT: Caring for our nation's needs electronically during the COVID-19 transition

Molly Gromatsky; Sarah R Sullivan; Emily L Mitchell; Angela Page Spears; Emily R Edwards; Marianne Goodman

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113700

Feasibility and acceptability of VA CONNECT: Caring for our nation's needs electronically during the COVID-19 transition

Psychiatry Res. 2021 Feb:296:113700. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113700. Epub 2020 Dec 31.

Authors

Molly Gromatsky¹, Sarah R Sullivan², Emily L Mitchell³, Angela Page Spears³, Emily R Edwards², Marianne Goodman²

Affiliations

¹ VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, The Bronx, NY, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: Molly.Gromatsky@VA.gov.
² VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, The Bronx, NY, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
³ VISN 2 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, The Bronx, NY, United States.

Abstract

COVID-19 has transformed day-to-day functioning and exacerbated mental health concerns. The current study examines preliminary feasibility and acceptability of a VA CONNECT - a novel 10-session, manualized telehealth group intervention integrating skills training and social support to develop a Safety & Resilience Plan for Veterans experiencing COVID-related stress. Data from the first 20 participants support the intervention's feasibility and acceptability. Strengths, limitations, and suggestions for improvement of the intervention are noted. Collaboration with other VA researchers would aid in protocol dissemination and evaluation of VA CONNECT's utility for reducing COVID-19-related stress, loneliness, and mental health symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; Treatment; Veterans.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Adult
COVID-19 / psychology
COVID-19 / therapy*
Feasibility Studies
Humans
Loneliness / psychology
Male
Mental Health
Needs Assessment*
Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
SARS-CoV-2
Social Support
Telemedicine*
Veterans