The mental health impact of the covid-19 pandemic on healthcare workers, and interventions to help them: A rapid systematic review

Abstract

Highlights Healthcare workers’ mental health problems correlate with organizational factors such as workload and exposure to covid-19 patients. Healthcare workers are more interested in occupational protection, rest, and social support than in professional psychological help. Interventions focus more on addressing individual psychopathology, which points towards a mismatch between what workers want and need, and the services available to them.

Social Support Mediates the Effect of Burnout on Health in Health Care Professionals

“…Moreover, the current rates of burnout among health care professionals are considered a “ticking timebomb,” as increases in burnout incidence will result in deleterious effects on health ( Hall et al, 2016 ; Dawkins and Burdess, 2020 ). Work overload, long work hours, time pressure, role conflicts, and insecurity seem to contribute to an increased risk of burnout ( Amoafo et al, 2014 ; Muller et al, 2020 ; Pappa et al, 2020 ; Seo et al, 2020 ). Indeed, as burnout rates increase among health care professionals, anxiety and depressive symptoms also become more prevalent ( Hintsa et al, 2016 ).…”

The Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic on Healthcare Workers with Pre-Existing Psychiatric Conditions

“…For comparison, the scores for the high-risk group were higher than the normative value of 12–14 in the US general population, emphasizing the immense psychological impact that healthcare crises can have on more vulnerable HCWs [ 7 ]. A similar study conducted during the SARS pandemic on HCWs found that individuals with anxious or avoidant personality traits and avoidant coping mechanisms were at higher risk of mental health stress [ 8 ]. Further, problem-focused coping strategies among HCWs during the SARS pandemic has been reported to decrease their stress and lessen their fear [ 8 ].…”

“…A similar study conducted during the SARS pandemic on HCWs found that individuals with anxious or avoidant personality traits and avoidant coping mechanisms were at higher risk of mental health stress [ 8 ]. Further, problem-focused coping strategies among HCWs during the SARS pandemic has been reported to decrease their stress and lessen their fear [ 8 ].…”

“…One review of 46 studies across 59 countries and 54,707 participants (mainly frontline nurses and doctors) examined the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCWs [ 8 ]. They concluded that HCWs generally reported more anxiety, depression, and sleep problems compared with the general population.…”

“…The most commonly reported protective factor associated with reduced risk of mental health problems was having social support. However, only a minority of HCWs sought professional help, possibly due to fear of stigma or existing occupational culture [ 8 ]. Unfortunately, there is sparse literature on HCWs with previous psychiatric diagnosis and no literature on self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health [ 9 ].…”