[Comment] COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on mental health of healthcare professionals

Abstract

In light of the unprecedented public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is highly important to acknowledge the psychological impact of this mounting threat on healthcare professionals. Previous experience from smaller scale epidemics and emerging literature around COVID-19 show that the unparalleled amount of stress that healthcare workers are dealing with, is associated with increased psychological morbidities. We have depicted the psychological burden that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed on healthcare professionals in Greece and have reviewed the literature around the effect of previous epidemics on frontline healthcare staff. Moreover, we discuss potential triggers and the need for measures to minimise the psychological pressure on those at the frontline against this biothreat.

A Survey on Mental Health Impact Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic in Italian Pediatric Healthcare Workers.

“…This particular situation was con rmed in our population by the low exposure and infection rate detected by the swab and the serological test ( Despite less exposure and infection probability, most of our population resulted affected by sleep disturbance, stress and anxiety. While in the COVID-19 Units frontline workers (in particular in Intensive Care Units) stress could be related to the palpable infection exposure, the fear of infecting family members, 4 prolonged shift times and prolonged use of protective equipment, 38 in Pediatric Units stress and anxiety could be related to other factors.…”

COVID‑19 related stress exacerbates common physical and mental pathologies and affects treatment (Review)

“…COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant psychological strain on the community with emerging cardiovascular implications. Since our outpatient clinics are carried out solely by telecommunication, we have observed a continuous increase in telephone contacts from patients with cardiovascular history expressing distress and associated worsening of symptoms, in particular angina, palpitations and decompensation of heart failure (8). Very recent reports, have linked the huge emotional pressure caused by COVID-19 to stress induced/Takotsubo cardiomyopathy presenting as acute heart failure (18).…”

“…However, given the large burden of anxiety passing from parents and media to children, considerable psychological implications have been noted. The lockdown of schools and playgrounds, the restriction of outdoor activities during physical and social isolation have been reported to trigger manifestations of anxiety, such as panic attacks and psychosomatic symptoms (8). Reports from China unveiled that the most common psychological and behavioral problems among children and adolescents were clinginess, distraction, irritability, and fear of asking questions about the epidemic (32).…”

“…to isolate away from them and being involved in ethically difficult decisions around resource-allocation, may cause a significant psychological burden on them (2,7,8); all this while working amid intense media and public scrutiny.…”

‘Policing’ a pandemic: Garda wellbeing and COVID-19

“…Research investigating smaller scale epidemics, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and emerging scholarship concerning COVID-19, demonstrates that the unequalled amount of stress experienced by essential staff working at the frontlines of the outbreak is associated with increased psychological morbidities (Huang et al 2004;Tsamakis et al 2020). For instance, in the early stages of the SARS outbreak, when virus spread was at its most rapid, healthcare professionals reported feelings of extreme vulnerability and uncertainty, a significant threat to life, and developed symptoms of anxiety (both somatic and cognitive) (Huang et al 2004;Tsamakis et al 2020). Current research exploring the experience of healthcare professionals dealing with COVID-19 in China and Greece details similar findings.…”