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The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on the Psychological Flexibility and Behaviour of Cancelling Medical Appointments of Italian Patients with Pre-Existing Medical Condition: The “ImpACT-COVID-19 for Patients” Multi-Centre Observational Study

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe Deledda

    (Clinical Psychology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Niccolò Riccardi

    (Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Stefania Gori

    (Oncology Department, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Sara Poli

    (Clinical Psychology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Matteo Giansante

    (Clinical Psychology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Eleonora Geccherle

    (Clinical Psychology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Cristina Mazzi

    (Clinical Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Ronaldo Silva

    (Clinical Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Nicoletta Desantis

    (Clinical Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Ambra Mara Giovannetti

    (Unit of Neuroepidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20145 Milan, Italy
    Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Neuroimmunology Unit, Clinical Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20145 Milan, Italy
    School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072 QLD, Australia)

  • Alessandra Solari

    (Unit of Neuroepidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20145 Milan, Italy)

  • Paolo Confalonieri

    (Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Neuroimmunology Unit, Clinical Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20145 Milan, Italy)

  • Licia Grazzi

    (Headache Center, Neurology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20145 Milan, Italy)

  • Elena Sarcletti

    (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy)

  • Gabriella Biffa

    (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy)

  • Antonio Di Biagio

    (Infectious Diseases Clinic, Policlinico San Martino Hospital-IRCCS, 16132 Genoa, Italy
    Infectious Diseases Clinic, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy)

  • Carlo Sestito

    (Service of Psycho Oncology, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Crotone, 88900 Crotone, Italy)

  • Roland Keim

    (General Hospital Bressanone, Azienda Sanitaria dell’Alto Adige, Bressanone, 39042 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Alida M. R. Di Gangi Hermis

    (General Hospital Bressanone, Azienda Sanitaria dell’Alto Adige, Bressanone, 39042 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Mariantonietta Mazzoldi

    (General Hospital Bolzano Azienda Sanitaria dell’Alto Adige, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Alessandro Failo

    (General Hospital Bolzano Azienda Sanitaria dell’Alto Adige, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Anna Scaglione

    (CFU-Italia ODV (Fybromyalgia Association), Castenaso, 40085 Bologna, Italy)

  • Naida Faldetta

    (Department of Oncoplastic Surgery of Breast Unit. V. Cervello Hospital, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Patrizia Dorangricchia

    (Department of Oncoplastic Surgery of Breast Unit. V. Cervello Hospital, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Maria Moschetto

    (Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.) Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Hector Josè Soto Parra

    (Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.) Policlinico Vittorio Emanuele, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Jennifer Faietti

    (Cardiac Surgery Unit, Salus Hospital GVM Care & Research, 42123 Regio Emilia, Italy)

  • Anna Di Profio

    (Clinical Oncology Unit, S.S. Annunziata Hospital, 66100 Chieti, Italy)

  • Stefano Rusconi

    (Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC) Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy)

  • Andrea Giacomelli

    (Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC) Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy)

  • Fabio Marchioretto

    (Neurological Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Filippo Alongi

    (Advanced Radiation Oncology Department, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy
    University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy)

  • Antonio Marchetta

    (Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Giulio Molon

    (Cardiology Deparment, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Zeno Bisoffi

    (Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

  • Andrea Angheben

    (Department of Infectious—Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, 37024 Verona, Italy)

Abstract

Psychological distress imposed by the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak particularly affects patients with pre-existing medical conditions, and the progression of their diseases. Patients who fail to keep scheduled medical appointments experience a negative impact on care. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychosocial factors contributing to the cancellation of medical appointments during the pandemic by patients with pre-existing health conditions. Data were collected in eleven Italian hospitals during the last week of lockdown, and one month later. In order to assess the emotional impact of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and the subject’s degree of psychological flexibility, we developed an ad hoc questionnaire (ImpACT), referring to the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ) were also used. Pervasive dysfunctional use of experiential avoidance behaviours (used with the function to avoid thought, emotions, sensations), feelings of loneliness and high post-traumatic stress scores were found to correlate with the fear of COVID-19, increasing the likelihood of cancelling medical appointments. Responding promptly to the information and psychological needs of patients who cancel medical appointments can have positive effects in terms of psychological and physical health.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Deledda & Niccolò Riccardi & Stefania Gori & Sara Poli & Matteo Giansante & Eleonora Geccherle & Cristina Mazzi & Ronaldo Silva & Nicoletta Desantis & Ambra Mara Giovannetti & Alessandra Sola, 2021. "The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on the Psychological Flexibility and Behaviour of Cancelling Medical Appointments of Italian Patients with Pre-Existing Medical Condition: The “ImpACT-COVID-19 fo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-21, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:1:p:340-:d:474923
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cristina Mazza & Eleonora Ricci & Silvia Biondi & Marco Colasanti & Stefano Ferracuti & Christian Napoli & Paolo Roma, 2020. "A Nationwide Survey of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-14, May.
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