Development of psychological first aid training : Online education in COVID times for multidisciplinary team in primary health care system
Abstract
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the general population The Royal Thai Ministry of Public Health has designated the multidisciplinary teams in Primary care to be at the frontline of support. The Psychological First Aid skills are needed to provide such services. Following the social distancing guidelines, designed to prevent spread of disease, an online programme was developed to train the telephone delivery of Psychological First Aid for the multidisciplinary teams. The aim of this article is to introduce a methodology of online course development to develop the telephone delivery Psychological First Aid skills working with the following components: the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the population; improving the performance of the multidisciplinary team in primary care; introducing the concept online training and Psychological First Aid by telephone and recognising factors influencing success of course delivery.
The development of the online course followed Educational Environment Theory and Andragogy consisted of 5 processes: 1) Content - including preparation of the curriculum, materials, processes as communications channels - designed to challenge existing knowledge of the participants (Dissonance); 2) Assignments to stimulate new learning focusing on the practical of delivery of Psychological First Aid by telephone, ideas and sharing (Refinement); 3) Creating a structure for learning by recording learning (Organisational); 4) Exchange of ideas both in small and large group settings with the participants (Feedback) and 5) Reflection on the process and content of learning which is also a reflection of personal development in online classroom (Consolidation).
In summary, the online learning format that was developed can help to improve the multidisciplinary team knowledge and skills in the delivery of Psychological First Aid by telephone to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with confidence and standards.
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