Taking Care of Those Who Care: Attending Psychological Needs of Health Workers in a Hospital in Madrid (Spain) During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview

Journal Curr Psychiatry Rep

Publisher Current Science

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2021 Jun 21

PMID 34152465

Citations 5

Authors

Monica Jimenez-Gimenez

Adela Sanchez-Escribano

Marta Maria Figuero-Oltra

Javier Bonilla-Rodriguez

Belen Garcia-Sanchez

Natalia Rojo-Tejero

Miguel Angel Sanchez-Gonzalez

Laura Munoz-Lorenzo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose Of Review: We aim to review evidence of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare professionals and the effects of the psychological crisis interventions and measures implemented to manage stress.

Recent Findings: Mental health problems are frequently encountered in health professionals during emergencies and often prevail over the following years. Results show health professionals exhibited symptoms of depression, anxiety, emotional distress, burnout, post-traumatic stress and poor sleep quality. In response to acute responses to stress, it is crucial to provide psychoeducation, mindfulness and coping resources. These interventions can improve resilience and self-efficacy of professionals, as well as help to prevent anxiety, depression and quality of sleep. The need for intervention programmes targeting the mental health of vulnerable populations has been widely acknowledged. We described a psychological support plan designed and implemented with the aim of providing mental health care for health professionals. Such programmes should be easily accessible to professionals, preferably in their own work environments.

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