The BETTER Model: A Proven Approach to Pandemic-Related Health Concerns

Abstract Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified public health concerns, necessitating effective interventions to mitigate its impact. This study aims to identify students’ health-related apprehensions and rigorously evaluate the efficacy of the BETTER model-based counseling approach in addressing these concerns during the pandemic conditions. Materials and Methods: Employing a mixed-methods design, the study was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved a qualitative exploration, with 72 Hamedan University students participating in in-depth semi-structured interviews from August 1, 2021 to September 29, 2021, to uncover their health-related concerns about COVID-19. The data collected were meticulously content-analyzed. The second phase was a quantitative clinical trial where 72 participants were randomly assigned to assess the effectiveness of the BETTER model-based counseling approach. Results: In the initial qualitative phase, students expressed the concerns across five key domains: Accurate information dissemination, psychological well-being, physical health maintenance, mental health sustenance, and social well-being preservation. The subsequent clinical trial demonstrated that the BETTER model-based counseling approach significantly improved health concerns among participants. Conclusions: The BETTER model-based counseling approach proves to be an effective intervention for alleviating health-related concerns during pandemics. Its implementation can substantially enhance mental health and overall well-being, making it a commendable strategy for managing health crises such as COVID-19.