Alleviating psychological symptoms in nurses during disease outbreaks: An integrative review

Abstract

AimTo explore interventions and coping strategies used to treat the psychological symptoms associated with compassion fatigue among nurses.BackgroundThe rapid transmission of infectious diseases (e.g., COVID‐19) has put nurses, around the world, at high risk of developing profound psychological health issues due to compassion fatigue. If unrelieved, compassion fatigue can lead to catastrophic psychological symptoms such as depression, stress, anxiety, and insomnia, negatively impacting patient care. This necessitates interventions to prevent or mitigate the psychological symptoms of compassion fatigue.MethodFollowing Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review method, the literature search comprised three databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE‐OVID, and Scopus.ResultsThe 11 included studies were categorized into four themes: (1) using relaxation strategies, (2) neutralizing emotional trauma, (3) enhancing nurses’ preparedness for confronting disasters, and (4) educating nurses about coping strategies to manage their psychological issues.ConclusionResearchers studied several coping strategies and interventions. There is a need for policymakers' support and hospital‐level interventions. Early interventions may prevent or relieve psychological issues.ImplicationsThe findings have implications for hospital leaders around the world to initiate interventions that teach nurses strategies to cope with stressful events. Future researchers might consider long‐term supports and multiple interventions that target several leading causes of psychological symptoms among nurses before, during, and after high‐stress situations. Policymakers around the world could use the findings to initiate policies to facilitate nurses' access to needed resources, hence protecting their mental health and increasing the quality of patient care.

Healthcare Workers and Infectious Disease Outbreaks: A Review.

“…Infectious disease pandemics entail the global spread of an emerging viral disease, while epidemics are defined as the spread of viral diseases over specific countries or continents. The globe has witnessed several infectious diseases' outbreaks, including Ebola, SARS and MERS (Hawsawi, 2022). Respiratory infectious pandemics and epidemics are particularly virulent given their spread via droplets and interpersonal contact (Fernandez et al, 2020).…”

“…It can lead to medical errors, deterioration of relationships with co-workers and patients, and low work satisfaction and quality of care (Delle Donne et al, 2023). In times of infectious disease outbreaks, nurses are significantly vulnerable to developing several acute or chronic psychological symptoms of CF, including insomnia, fatigue, depression, and anxiety, which impact their health and patient care (Hawsawi, 2022).…”

Unveiling the burden of compassion fatigue in nurses

“…31,32 Also, it is reported that coping strategies such as relaxation strategies, neutralizing emotional trauma, enhancing nurses' preparedness for confronting disasters, and educating nurses about coping strategies to manage their psychological issues were used to treat the psychological symptoms associated with compassion fatigue among nurses. 33 Considering the prevalence and impact of compassion fatigue on nurses' well-being and the quality of patient care, it is crucial to continue investigating effective coping strategies and support mechanisms. By understanding the factors that contribute to compassion fatigue and identifying successful interventions, healthcare organizations can proactively implement measures to address compassion fatigue among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging situations.…”

“…31,32 Also, it is reported that coping strategies such as relaxation strategies, neutralizing emotional trauma, enhancing nurses’ preparedness for confronting disasters, and educating nurses about coping strategies to manage their psychological issues were used to treat the psychological symptoms associated with compassion fatigue among nurses. 33…”