RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on individuals with mental health (MH) disorders and on the delivery of MH services. Studies examining treatment models which did not require substantial changes to the delivery of services during pandemic restrictions, such as collaborative care management (CoCM) programs are minimal. Therefore, a longitudinal retrospective cohort analysis was conducted to examine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on a psychopharmacological CoCM program. METHOD: Data was collected on all U.S. Veterans enrolled in a CoCM program at a large VA during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and compared to a one-year prior date matched control group. Treatment in the program pre-COVID vs. treatment during the pandemic was compared in relation to baseline symptomatology, improvements in MH symptoms, and program adherence. RESULTS: 462 Veterans were referred during the control dates, compared to 351 during the pandemic. Veterans enrolled during the first four months of each study arm, done to allow for a minimum of 6 months of follow up data, had no differences in baseline symptoms of depression or anxiety. Veterans receiving care during the pandemic had higher rates of program completion than pre-pandemic controls. COVID-era Veterans had higher rates of depression response than controls, and no differences were observed in depression remission, anxiety response, or anxiety remission. CONCLUSIONS: Psychopharmacological CoCM treatment models can successfully manage depression and anxiety with no observed decrease in the effectiveness of this intervention even during periods of unprecedented disruptions to the delivery of MH services.