Effectiveness of Internet-Based Group Supportive Psychotherapy on Psychic and Somatic Symptoms, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Heart Rate Variability in Post COVID-19 Syndrome Patients.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 can have serious long term health consequences, which is called Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS). Currently, the available evidence and understanding of PCS management is limited. Because one of the symptoms of PCS is associated to psychological symptoms, psychotherapy is believed to have a role in the management of PCS. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of supportive psychotherapy in PCS patients at Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital. METHODS: This study was a single blind randomized clinical trial using a pre-and post-test with control group study design. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: a psychotherapy group with 40 participants and an education group with 37 participants. Each group was given internet-based psychotherapy or education three times a week in a form of group consisting of 6-8 participants. Symptom Checklist-90 questionnaire was used to evaluate somatic and psychological symptoms. Heart rate variability and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio were also investigated. Data analysis was performed using the independent T test. RESULTS: An improvement in the SCL-90 score was found to be 17.51 (SD 30.52) in the psychotherapy group and 19.79 (SD 35.10) in the education group, although there was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.771). There was no significant difference between the two groups in decreasing NLR (p = 0.178) and improving HRV (p = 0.560). CONCLUSION: Both internet-based group supportive psychotherapy and education improved psychological and somatic symptoms in PCS patients, although there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in decreasing NLR and improving HRV. Suggestions for further research regarding adding frequency of internet-based group psychotherapy in PCS patients and held in the morning to achieve more optimal results.

Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) as a Framework to Understand Compliance Issues With Health Protocols Among People Undergoing Isolation at Emergency Hospital for COVID-19 Wisma Atlet Kemayoran and RSCM Kiara Ultimate Jakarta Indonesia.

Introduction: This study aims to identify the psychosocial determinants and examine the mediation mechanisms of the compliance with COVID-19 health protocols among people undergoing isolation in health facilities that specifically treat COVID-19 cases in Jakarta, Indonesia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which used socio-cognitive approach, known as the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), to understand the complexity of issues related to compliance with health protocols. A total of 1,584 subjects participated in this study, including 865 men and 719 women over the age of 18 years old during the data collection period (October 19-26, 2020). The data were collected using questionnaire that was developed by a team of experts from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia-Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, and survivors. The data that has been collected were then analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling, a multivariate data analysis technique. Results: The final research model in this study fulfills the criteria for a good model fit. This study found that individuals who have strong self-efficacy regarding their ability to implement behaviors and overcome obstacles will have stronger intent to comply in the future. The study also found that stronger intent will lead to stronger planning, and planning was found mediating intention and compliance with health protocols. Conclusion: This research model is comprehensive and useful in understanding compliance with health protocols among people undergoing isolation in health facilities for COVID-19 (Wisma Atlet and RSCM Kiara Ultimate). Having intent (related to the risk perception, outcome expectancies, and self-efficacy) and having a plan can positively influence the behavior of people undergoing isolation, resulting in better compliance to health protocols. The understanding gained from this study can be used to improve strategies related to compliance with health protocols against COVID-19 in the communities.

Psychological distress among Greater Jakarta area residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and community containment.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging pandemic affecting the global population. Community-based quarantine can slow down the pandemic growth while adversely affecting population-wide psychological well-being. Affected psychological well-being could potentially influence population compliance in following stipulated community quarantine procedures. AIM: The aim was to quantify psychological distress among Greater Jakarta area residents during the community containment period. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to measure depression, anxiety, and stress levels using the Indonesian version of the DASS-21. Demographic data on sex, education strata, and working/productive-age group were also collected. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational analytic study employed an online questionnaire involving participants acquired through snowball sampling. The questionnaire comprises two parts: demographic data and psychological distress indicators. Linear regression evaluated psychological distress as a response variable. RESULTS: Among 1,205 women and 824 men, our findings suggested male sex, age in the range of 15-24 years, and having a bachelor's degree or professional qualification have a strong association with psychological distress. CONCLUSION: By addressing the population at risk, policymakers can identify better countermeasures for preventing psychological distress.

Innovative Educational Initiatives to Train Psychodynamic Psychiatrists in Underserved Areas of the World.

Psychodynamic psychiatry remains a challenging subject to teach in underserved areas, where enthusiasm to learn is substantial. Besides logistical and psychiatric workforce shortcomings, sensible cultural adaptations to make psychodynamic psychiatry relevant outside of high-income countries require creative effort. Innovative pedagogical methods that include carefully crafted mentoring and incorporate videoconferencing in combination with site visits can be implemented through international collaborations. Emphasis on mentoring is essential to adequately train future psychodynamic psychotherapy supervisors. Examples of World Psychiatric Association initiatives in countries such as Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and Thailand are presented as possible models to emulate elsewhere.