JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to disrupt global health and well-being. We built a digital, remote interactive tool for local community patients to engage in wellbeing resources and connection through a text platform during March-May 2020.

Objective:

To prospectively investigate the ability of a health-system based, digital, remote, and interactive tool to engage individuals in health and well-being resources and connection during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

Descriptive and non-parametric longitudinal statistical analyses were used to describe and compare mood ratings over time. Thematic analysis was conducted on mood text responses.

Results:

Of 393 patients seeking care in an urban, academic Emergency Department opted into a text message line. 287 mood ratings and 368 qualitative responses were recorded. No difference in initial mood rating by week of enrollment was seen (H(5)=1.34, P=0.93), and across the intervention per participant, the mood did not change overall (Q(3)=0.32, P=0.96). However, mood improved for participants with baseline low reported mood (n=25, Q(3)=20.68, P<.001) while remaining stable for those with baseline high initial mood (n=142, Q(3)=2.84, P=0.42). Analysis found that that positive mood elaborations most frequently included words related to sentiments of thanks and gratitude, often for connection and communication, while negative mood elaborations most frequently included words related to anxiety.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest feasibility for digital community engagement through emergency department facilitation. Specifically, for those who choose to engage in a texting platform amid the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is feasible to assess and respond to mood with vetted resources, and such an intervention may even carry benefit.