The mental health of healthcare workers in the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

From the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders

Abstract: A novel coronavirus, named SARS-CoV2, emerging from Wuhan, China, has led to a fast spread outbreak of COVID-19 pneumonia. World health organization has declared COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern. By April 26th, 2020, four months after outbreak, more than 2,800,000 confirmed cases and almost 200,000 deaths due to SARS-CoV-2 have been reported.

Major epidemic outbreaks pose an increasing demand for healthcare workers. Constant increasing of infected cases, a rise in the rate of deaths, lack of any specific medicine or vaccine, extensive media coverage, massive workload, lack of personal protective equipment, and feelings of inadequate support all can contribute to the mental burden of these health care staff. In these situations, it is expected of HCWs to work long hours while they are under overwhelming pressure. They are at the risk of being infected when treating ill patients. On the other hand, like other individuals, they are exposed to a considerable amount of fake news and rumors all of which increase their anxiety. Reports indicated that several HCWs became infected with SARS-CoV-2 when they were in close contact with infected patients. In the initial phase of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, 29% of all hospitalized patients were HCWs. Working in these situations develops the risk of various psychological and mental illnesses as well as physical and emotional distress among medical staff.

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