Introduction:

The COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on multiple levels, one being the way of providing mental health care services. A study was proposed in order to identify the standpoints regarding the role we must assume as psychiatrists in the setting of this pandemic in Colombia.

Methods:

A study was developed employing a Delphi-type methodology. Three types of psychiatrist were included for the application of the instrument: directors of academic psychiatry programmes, directors of mental health institutions and private practitioners.

Results:

Responses were collected over the course of a month (between April and May) by 24 participants corresponding to 14 private practitioners (58.3%), 6 heads of academic programmes (25.1%) and 4 directors of mental health services (16.6%). The results, grouped around the psychiatric work, describe the impact generated by the pandemic and the possible role of the specialist.

Conclusions:

Consistency was identified around the need to provide a differential approach according to the vulnerabilities of each group of people exposed to the pandemic; as well as the remote provision of health care through technology, often using videoconferencing.

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