Addressing the challenges faced by partners of acquired brain injury patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a psychiatrist’s perspective

Abstract

In the face of the COVID‐19 pandemic, healthcare systems worldwide have encountered unprecedented challenges, not least in the realm of psychiatric care. This letter offers a psychiatric perspective on the difficulties faced by partners of acquired brain injury patients, a topic recently illuminated by the qualitative study ‘Lockdown life – experiences of partners of individuals with an acquired brain injury during the COVID‐19 pandemic’ (Beal et al. 2023). Drawing from my experiences at the Taoyuan Psychiatric Center in Taiwan, I reflect on the compound stressors experienced by both healthcare providers and family members of patients. The enforced restrictions on in‐person visitations have necessitated reliance on virtual communication, which, while vital, has introduced additional emotional burdens. The post‐discharge period presents further complexities as partners navigate the dual demands of pandemic management and adapting to the altered dynamics of living with a partner affected by mental illness or brain injury. This letter commends the original study for its insightful contribution to understanding these dynamics and discusses the implications for healthcare practice, particularly the need for targeted support services for families. Through this dialogue, the letter aims to amplify awareness and foster the development of resources to assist those caring for individuals with acquired brain injuries during and beyond the pandemic.