Mental Health of Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

On January 16, 2020, the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Japan was reported. In the spring of the same year, the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks became a significant issue. In addition, the medical staff had to encounter discrimination during this period. Thus, the mental health of these staff has been greatly affected by the social situation, the media coverage of the COVID-19 epidemic, and the shortage of PPE in hospitals. Various factors make it difficult for the medical staff to seek professional help for mental well-being. Therefore, self-care plays an important role in the prevention of depression and anxiety disorders among healthcare workers. When the healthcare workers face problems in their work environment, they should coordinate with the hospital to promptly improve the system. COVID-19 resulted in new societal norms and changed our lifestyles significantly. Insomnia is a particular issue among healthcare workers. Lifestyle analysis is thus necessary if insomnia needs to be addressed. Because the opportunities for communication are reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, conscious communication is essential. During this difficult time, the staff may not receive sufficient guidance from their superiors at work, for example for guidance received by resident doctors from their seniors. This will also provide opportunities to communicate vital information about matters such as infection control. Therefore, quality communication and accurate information should be directed toward all healthcare workers.