Nagpur: The treatment of isolation without the presence of family members or loved ones can affect the mental health of COVID-19 patients because they lose hope of recovering from the disease, medical experts say.
They say that the presence of family members and regular interaction with them should become an integral part of the community coronavirus treatment standards as it has a therapeutic effect on the patients.
‘Not to allow close family members to stay or visit COVID-19 patients are cruel and inhuman, as infected people often lose hope of recovery if they feel they are struggling alone, ” said Dr Indrajit Khandekar of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS) in Wardha.
He said that family members who want to stay with their loved ones, to whom coronavirus, should be allowed to do so by wearing masks.
“The presence of relatives and regular interaction between the family with doctors and nurses should be an integral part of the treatment standards,” he said.
Being with loved ones can be extremely therapeutic for patients and can give them the desire to survive in the most difficult situations, he said.
Dr Khandekar further explained that some patients, who are unable to perform their routine activities such as eating, drinking and answering nature’s call, need constant help and moral support, which only a family member can provide.
It is not possible for health professionals to personally care for each patient and provide 24/7 assistance, he said.
In the discussion of dr Khandekar, assistant professor of psychiatry at AIIMS Nagpur, dr. Sonakshi Jyrwa, said that one should use a ‘balanced approach’ during treatment COVID-19 patients.
At AIIMS Nagpur, a team of mental health staff examines all patients who give them admission, gives advice and gives them the moral and psychological support they need.
Such interventions have been found to be effective under current circumstances, she said.
In the case of critical patients or those with a high need for support, the hospital may allow caregivers who are infected with coronavirus, which includes family members with mild symptoms, should be included in the same section, Dr Jyrwa said.
Apart from this, the inherent risk of infection, in addition to the requirement of additional resources, such as PPE kits, and the training, monitoring and assistance of family members to ensure its effective use in an overloaded healthcare system, will be a challenge. she said. .
‘This is the key to finding a balanced approach. Every healthcare organization must draw up policies that are patient / family-centered and that do not hinder and hinder the efficient functioning of hospitals during the pandemic, ”said Dr. Jywra said.
Source: Telangana Today