The goal of this project is to adapt an established, manualized enhanced Group CBT (CBT-E) for seniors to a telemedicine format. Currently the Geriatric Psychiatry service associated with the Nova Scotia Health Authority offer two CBT-E groups every year. They are usually facilitated by psychiatry residents, under the supervision of a staff psychiatrist. Due to the risk of COVID-19, we will not be holding in-person groups this year. Instead we will offer the group in a smaller, telemedicine format. For this project, we will change the group structure and activities to allow it's delivery in a virtual format. This study will assess feasibility, tolerability of the telehealth format by using the System Usability Scale and Group Satisfaction Survey. It will also assess response to online therapy buy using pre- and post-group questionnaires including the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Perceived Quality of Life Questionnaire. Paired t-tests will be used to analyse the data and determine whether there has been an improvement in participant's symptoms and quality of life.
The present aim of the study is to to adapt an established, manualized enhanced Group CBT (CBT-E) for seniors to a telehealth format, which will allow us to offer the group virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.