Utilizing the ACCESS Model to Understand Communication With the Ultraorthodox Community in Beit Shemesh During the First Wave of COVID-19

Romem, Anat; Pinchas-Mizrachi, Ronit; Zalcman, Beth G.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately negatively affected the ultraorthodox in Israel. Their unique characteristics and slow adoption of preventative health guidelines resulted in a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. To lower these rates, health and government authority figures employed methods to change the ultraorthodox community health behaviors. METHODOLOGY: This study utilizes the ACCESS model for transcultural nursing to analyze the response by authorities to high infection rates in the large ultraorthodox community in city of Beit Shemesh during the first wave of the outbreak (through early May). RESULTS: The authorities employed all model components to varying degrees and found moderate success in changing health behaviors of the ultraorthodox. DISCUSSION: Employing the ACCESS model as a response to the health care crisis among the ultraorthodox community in Beit Shemesh led to some success in increased compliance, thus lowering morbidity rates. However, not establishing strong respect and rapport hindered the process.