Mini review

Psychological Support for Healthcare Workers in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Francisco Marmol Bernal¹ and Mohamed Farouk Allam²*

¹Delegación Territorial de Salud, Cordoba, Spain

²Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain

Submission: November 13, 2024;; Published: November 27, 2024

*Corresponding author: Mohamed Farouk Allam, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine. University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain. E-mail: fm2faahm@uco.es

How to cite this article: Francisco Marmol B, Mohamed Farouk A. Psychological Support for Healthcare Workers in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 002 Pandemic?. JOJ Pub Health. 2024; 9(3): 555762. DOI: 10.19080/JOJPH.2024.09.555762

Keywords

Keywords: Mental Health; Psychological Support; Depression; Healthcare Workers; COVID-19.

Perspective

In December 2019, the world witnessed the beginning of a global pandemic with the identification of the first cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Initially presenting as a respiratory illness, COVID-19 quickly escalated, often leading to severe pneumonia and a significant rise in fatalities. The outbreak swiftly spread worldwide, prompting the official recognition on January 7, 2020, of the novel coronavirus responsible, named SARS-CoV-2, a member of the Coronaviridae family [1].

Efforts have focused on understanding the transmission and symptoms of the disease, which typically include fever, dry cough, fatigue, dyspnoea, pharyngeal pain, chills, and diarrhoea. Currently, with vaccines and better knowledge of non-pharmacological measures like masks, ventilation, hand hygiene, and social distancing, milder symptoms similar to upper respiratory tract colds are common. However, the condition can still worsen, particularly in vulnerable groups such as the elderly, immunosuppressed individuals, transplant recipients, and pregnant women [2].

The pandemic has undeniably created a highly stressful environment, significantly impacting healthcare workers (HCWs) in different ways depending on their roles and responsibilities. A meta-analysis published in July 2020 compiled data on the psychological effects on HCWs, highlighting that those who had previous frontline experience during other health crises exhibited greater resilience to the emotional toll of the COVID-19 epidemic. This study emphasized that HCWs without such experience were more susceptible to post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression, underscoring the need for targeted mental health support and interventions for those less accustomed to crisis situations [3].

The routine healthcare services integral to standard medical care were unavoidably deferred, presenting an intimidating scenario for HCWs who had to pivot their focus towards treating COVID-19 patients. The consequent strain arising from this shift in priority has been inadequately documented, though certain publications have shed light on its impact. This issue is particularly critical in specialized medical fields, where the absence of routine follow-up could potentially lead to severe consequences [4, 5].

HCWs confronted the COVID-19 pandemic under intense media coverage, grappling with a persistent mismatch between overwhelming demands and limited resources. This imbalance significantly increased their decisional burdens and feelings of hopelessness. They were also tasked with managing the high expectations of patients and their families while navigating unprecedented communication barriers. Furthermore, the fear of contracting the virus was intensified by the initial scarcity of personal protective equipment and the high number of infected or deceased colleagues. This heightened fear, along with concerns about potentially transmitting the virus to their own families, often led HCWs to self-isolate as a precautionary measure [3].

Currently, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are more questions than answers about the psychological effects on HCWs.

· What is the current psychological state of HCWs following the COVID-19 pandemic?

· Do HCWs require psychological support in the aftermath of the pandemic?

· Which professional category within the healthcare sector was more profoundly affected?

· Did the COVID-19 pandemic lead HCWs engaged in clinical practice to seek alternative roles, distancing themselves from direct patient contact?

· Are HCWs adequately trained to confront potential health disasters or future pandemics?

· What insights can be gleaned from COVID-19 regarding the care for the general population and, specifically, for HCWs?

· Is there a need to formulate new plans addressing potential health disasters or pandemics, with a specific focus on providing care for HCWs?

· Did the COVID-19 pandemic serve as either a motivating factor or a deterrent for the new generation considering careers in the health sector?

Conclusion/Recommendation

We are confronted with a new health challenge that lacks clear answers. Urgent plans and collaborations, guided by the World Health Organization (WHO), are strongly warranted.

References

1. She J, Jiang J, Ye L, Hu L, Bai C, et al. (2019) Novel coronavirus of pneumonia in Wuhan, China: emerging attack and management strategies. Clin Transl Med 9(1) :19.
2. Párraga Martínez I, Pérula de Torres LA, González Lama J, Jiménez García C, Sánchez Montero R et al. (2021) Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infections in family physicians: A case-control study. Aten Primaria 53(3): 101-956.
3. Carmassi C, Foghi C, Dell'Oste V, Cordone A, Bertelloni CA, et al. (2020) PTSD symptoms in healthcare workers facing the three coronavirus outbreaks: What can we expect after the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry Res 292: 113-312.
4. Isea dela Viña J, Mayol J, Ortega AL, Alcázar Navarrete B (2020) Lung Cancer Patients on the Waiting List in the Midst of the COVID-19 Crisis: What Do We Do Now? Arch Bronconeumol (Engl Ed) 56(9): 602-604.
5. Kruper A, Domeyer-Klenske A, Treat R, Pilarski A, Kaljo K (2021) Secondary Traumatic Stress in Ob-Gyn: A Mixed Methods Analysis Assessing Physician Impact and Needs. J Surg Educ 78(3): 1024-1034.