Psychosocial support for providers working high‐risk exposure settings during a pandemic: A critical discussion

Abstract

Psychological first aid is a form of support designed to lessen disaster‐related distress. In a pandemic, providers may need such support but with the high risk of exposure, such a program is offered only virtually. The research is scant for traditional post‐disaster support and non‐existent for virtual; therefore, by using related research this discussion considers the likelihood of providers accessing and benefiting from this program. The virtual platform is heralded as the responsible way to provide support in a pandemic but this standard may be ineffective and is inherently inequitable. As a global event, pandemics require containment strategies applicable on an international level; therefore, psychosocial support should also be developed with an international audience in mind. Online psychosocial support falls short of being such a strategy as it incorrectly assumes global internet access. Many low‐income areas such as Sub‐Saharan Africa will need support strategies which compliment local frontline staff and fit with community‐driven initiatives, whereas wealthier countries may use a combination of onsite and online support. Provider psychosocial support needs in a pandemic, if articulated, are globally similar but how this support is offered requires contextually sensitive considerations not yet found in the literature.

Identifying Patterns of Turnover Intention Among Alabama Frontline Nurses in Hospital Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…These findings are consistent with studies that look at ways to improve work processes by investigating relationships between perceived workloads and gaps in organizational support. 9 , 14 , 19 , 20 , 52 , 55 , 58 …”

Virtualization of psychological emergency care in mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Thus, an intervention that proved to be very prominent in this context was constituted by the PFA, used as a means of establishing social support networks (Barbarin et al, 2021;Saltzman, 2020). In addition, the literature highlights the importance of psychological care for health professionals who work on the front line against the virus, given the need for preparation and protection to deal with unhealthy activities in the pandemic framework (Plasse, 2020). In Canada, the development of an online platform and its importance were highlighted.…”

“…Although mental health services need health professionals trained in mental health, due to the emergency framework, it is possible that volunteers, with the proper training and supervision, can offer psychosocial interventions, such as PFA and mutual support (Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde & Organização Mundial da Saúde, 2020a). These interventions are necessary because social support is essential in the context of a health and humanitarian crisis such as the one caused by COVID-19 and, therefore, it is necessary to think of ways to maintain a healthy relationship between people, which includes the use of technology (Arenliu et al, 2020;Feinstein, 2021;Plasse, 2020;Saltzman et al, 2020).…”

Moral Distress, Trauma, and Uncertainty for Midwives Practicing During a Pandemic

“…Considering the relational nature of the midwifery profession, encouraging alternate, innovative forms of communication between patients and providers, such as using video conferencing for discussions without masks and PPE or including photos and names of care providers in prominent locations, can help increase connection and sense of caring. Psychological first aid, the mental health equivalent of physical first aid that focuses on basic psychological needs like safety and connectedness, is suggested as possible intervention for provider trauma, with lower risk of increasing distress than other modalities like immediate critical‐incident debriefing 33 . Empirical evidence for psychological first aid is limited at this time, but as a low‐risk intervention that employs the connected relationships and safety that are the hallmarks of midwifery, it may be a powerful way to begin recovery from months of secondary or direct trauma.…”