Tools for the evaluation of the psychological impact of COVID-19: A practical guide for Family physicians and Primary Care Practitioners

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the global population significantly and has resulted in physiological, psychological, social, and behavioral changes among the individuals. The prominent mental health effects of COVID-19 on the general and clinical populations have been well recognized. The family physicians and primary care practitioners from various disciplines are likely to encounter patients who are experiencing psychological distress manifested in the form of anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, increased substance use, or other symptoms. This narrative review is aimed to present a bird's eye view of the psychological impact of COVID-19 on the general population and the various tools that are used to evaluate them. Besides, we intend to suggest a set of tools/questionnaires that can be used by the family physicians and primary care practitioners for generating data on the psychological impact of this pandemic.

Keywords

• covid-19
• family physicians
• primary care practitioners
• psychological distress
• psychometrics