Impact of a Communication Strategy in the Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Covid-19

Impact of an Early and Comprehensive Communication Strategy in the Prevention of Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Severe Covid-19, Their Families and Health Personnel

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of an early and integral communication strategy (EICS) versus standard care, on the rate of depressive symptoms at 3 months after discharge from the ICU, in patients with severe Covid-19, their family members and health personnel.

Evaluating the rate of depressive symptoms at 3 months after discharge from the ICU, with a) Hospital Anxiety and Depression, b) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (S)

We designed a pre-post intervention study, the groups were non-randomly allocated.

The study is implementation in 10 Chilean hospitals, admitting 350 patients.

Pre-intervention: The practices of each ICU will be maintained, until the moment that according to randomization corresponds the beginning of the intervention, in each center.

Post-intervention: EICS to facilitate communication between the family, patient and health team, through written material, via the web (tablet and webmaster) and by telephone.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults> 18 years old
• Admitted to the ICU
• Requiring Mechanical Ventilation> 12 hrs due to COVID-19

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with therapeutic proportionality is defined early
• Patients with communication limitations (they do not speak Spanish) are excluded.