The psychological effects of nursing interventions on patients with suspected COVID-19 during isolation

Niu, Weiwei; Ma, Xinhong; Zhang, Ying; Sun, Zengfang

BACKGROUND: To investigate the psychological characteristics of patients with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during isolation and to evaluate the effects of psychological nursing interventions. METHODS: A total of 137 patients with suspected COVID-19 were assessed using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ). Psychological nursing intervention measures were implemented, after which the patients were re-evaluated. RESULTS: Before intervention, the rates of anxiety and depression among the patients with suspected COVID-19 were 46.72% and 48.20%, respectively. After intervention, statistically significant reductions were observed in the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores (both P<0.05). Before intervention, the TCSQ positive and negative coping scores were 31.07±5.25 and 28.78±6.72, respectively, compared with 36.40±5.93 and 24.60±5.99, respectively, after intervention; these differences were statistically significant (both P<0.01). Before and after intervention, the patients' GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were negatively correlated with the positive coping score but positively correlated with the negative coping score. CONCLUSIONS: For COVID-19 or similar public health emergencies, timely and flexible appropriate psychological intervention and counseling is crucial. Correct implementation of psychological intervention methods can effectively relieve patients' negative emotions, and play an important role in assisting patients during the isolation period.