Lockdown during the early phase of Covid-19 - effects on specialized mental health services and vocational activities for patients with psychotic disorders

People with psychotic disorders may be particularly vulnerable to adverse effects from restrictions implemented to limit the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health professionals may also be at risk of adverse effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of potential changes in accessibility, quality of care and vocational activity on people with psychotic disorders and the impact on clinicians working in these conditions. Patients and clinicians in specialized mental health services for psychotic disorders answered questionnaires regarding changes in treatment, quality of treatment, vocational activity, and well-being. Data was analyzed with nonparametric tests. Inpatients appeared more influenced by the restrictions than outpatients, however, quality of treatment was regarded relatively unaffected. Clinicians seemed satisfied working under these conditions, though a larger portion of clinicians reported changes in treatment compared to patients. The patients who reported being affected by changes in vocational activity tended to report negative effects, but the majority reported being unaffected. Overall, patients and clinicians appeared to cope well with the changes they experienced in accessibility, quality of care and vocational activity during the early phases of the pandemic.