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Collaborative Care Models for Sickle Cell and Mental Health Management

Sagar Bayaskar

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Journal of Global Medical Education and Research 3(1):p 11-21, January-June 2026. | DOI: N/A

How Cite This Article:

Sagar Bayaskar. Collaborative Care Models for Sickle Cell and Mental Health Management. Jr of Glob Med Edu and Res. 2026;3(1): 11-21.

Timeline

Received : March 11, 2026         Accepted : May 21, 2026          Published : June 30, 2026

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) remains a major public health concern in high-risk and tribal populations in India, yet awareness and psychological support remain limited. This study aimed to explore both the level of awareness and the psychological burden experienced by individuals with lived experience, caregivers, and tribal residents. Methods: A qualitative design was used, treating survey responses from 35 participants as in-depth interview data. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes related to awareness, emotional impact, and communitybased solutions. Participants included healthcare workers, caregivers, patients, and individuals from tribal communities. Results: Findings revealed substantial knowledge gaps: 20% of participants reported no awareness of SCA, 45.7% had basic knowledge, 20% moderate, and only 8.6% showed expert-level understanding. Participants strongly favored community-driven awareness approaches, including school-based programs (40%), tribal screening camps (30%), and targeted media campaigns (20%). The psychological toll was evident 60% reported stress, 40% anxiety, and 48.6% irritability. Individuals with caregiving or lived experience reported heightened frustration and emotional burden. Tribal participants highlighted cultural misconceptions and poor access to care. A key pattern emerged: those with lower awareness levels experienced significantly greater psychological distress. Conclusion: There is a clear need for integrated, culturally sensitive strategies that combine SCA education with accessible mental health support. Strengthening collaborative care models through local outreach, school programs, and psychosocial counseling may reduce knowledge deficits and emotional distress among high-risk populations.


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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study

Conflicts of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.


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Cite this article

Sagar Bayaskar. Collaborative Care Models for Sickle Cell and Mental Health Management. Jr of Glob Med Edu and Res. 2026;3(1): 11-21.


Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
March 11, 2026 May 21, 2026 June 30, 2026

DOI: N/A

Keywords

Sickle cell anemiaAwarenessAnxietyStressCaregiversLived experienceTribal communitiesHigh-risk populationsPsychological impact

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Received March 11, 2026
Accepted May 21, 2026
Published June 30, 2026

licence


Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

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