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As life inches toward normal during the continuing pandemic, the need for mental health care has not. According to a new survey by the American Psychological Association, the demand for treatment of anxiety and depression has risen steeply since last year. Other conditions for which individuals increasingly are seeking care are obsessive-compulsive disorders, substance abuse and addictive disorders, and sleep-wake disorders. More than 4 in 10 practitioners can’t keep up with demand, and 46% have experienced burnout.
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— Kate Jackson, editor |
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Increasing Needs for Mental Health Care
As the impact of the pandemic on mental health continues, psychologists are reporting a large increase in demand for treatment of anxiety and depression compared with last year, according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA).
Many psychologists also said they had increased workloads and longer waitlists than before the pandemic.
“As more people seek treatment for mental health conditions, the demands on psychological practitioners have increased,” says Arthur C. Evans Jr, PhD, APA’s CEO. “Like many other health care providers, psychologists are feeling the pressure.”
More than 8 in 10 (84%) psychologists who treat anxiety disorders said they have seen an increase in demand for anxiety treatment since the start of the pandemic, compared with 74% a year ago. Demand for treatment of depression is also up, with 72% of psychologists who treat depressive disorders saying they have seen an increase, compared with 60% in 2020. Other treatment areas with greater demand included sleep-wake disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and substance-related and addictive disorders, the survey found.
The number of psychologists who reported receiving more referrals this year almost doubled from last year (from 37% in 2020 to 62% this year). Almost 7 in 10 psychologists (68%) with a waitlist reported that it had grown longer since the start of the pandemic.
Full story » |
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Curbing Cancer: Dietary Patterns Reduce Risk in Older Adults
Although many feel their risk of developing cancer is related to genetics or chance, much of what is known about cancer prevention, in fact, points to the role of nutrition. We take a look at ways healthful dietary habits can influence an older person’s risk of developing cancer. Read more »
Assessing Hepatitis and Fatty Liver Disease
A growing number of geriatricians recognize the important role they can play in educating patients about the hidden epidemic of hepatitis C virus. Strategies include noninvasive point-of-care screening, encouraging at-risk individuals to get tested, and raising awareness about fatty liver disease. Read more »
Cerebral Palsy — Improving Care for Older Adults
While there’s no cure for cerebral palsy, various treatments, some incorporating physical therapy, can improve quality of life. Read more » |
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Hands-Free Calling for People Who Use ReSound Hearing Aids
Individuals who use ReSound ONE hearing aids on iPhones and iPads can enjoy quality sound on hands-free phone and FaceTime calls on their recent model iPads and iPhones and can answer phones with a tap on their hearing aids, without having to take their phones out of their pockets. GN Hearing’s ReSound One hearing aids are an authorized Made for iPhone accessory and are certified to meet Apple’s performance standards. Learn more »
Infrared Responsive Technology May Increase Grip Strength
A recent peer-reviewed study published in the Research Journal of Textile and Apparel has shown that when used in armbands, CELLIANT—a performance textile that converts body heat into infrared energy—increases grip strength in people with wrist or elbow pain resulting from carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or epicondylitis. The armbands easy to wear, cost-effective, and have no known side effects. Learn more » |
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The Consequences of Staffing Shortages in Hospices
The health care staffing shortage has created an unthinkable situation in hospices. With an inadequate work force to meet the needs of the dying, patients are being turned away or their caregivers are being advised that patients will have to wait. The New York Times reports on the problem and its consequences.
Your Older Patients May Continue to Want Colorectal Screening
It sounds counterintuitive. You might expect your patients 80 years old and older to look forward to an end to routine colonoscopy. The guidelines say the exams are no longer necessary, but many patients aren’t comfortable discontinuing the practice. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Heroes at the Start of the Pandemic, Health Care Workers Now Face Violence
The Atlantic reports on violence in the health care workplace—a problem that has long existed but which has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Nurses and other workers are calling on federal lawmakers to create standards that can be enforced to ensure their safety.
The Financial Burden of Cancer
While cancer mortality has decreased for many of the most common cancers, the financial burden has vastly increased, The Washington Post reports. According to the Annual Report to the National on the Status of Cancer, 2019 statistics indicate that patients carry the burden of $21.09 billion in costs, with women bearing the highest out-of-pocket costs, and costs are greatest at the end of life. |
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A resource for professionals looking for new opportunities, as well as those physicians just curious to see what's out there, our Physician Recruitment Center gives physician recruiters a powerful tool to fill partnership opportunities, academic appointments, and hospital staff positions. To support your product marketing or recruiting needs, e-mail our experienced account executives today at sales@gvpub.com for more information or call 800-278-4400! |
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