The psychosocial impact of flu influenza pandemics on healthcare workers and lessons learnt for the COVID-19 emergency: a rapid review.
- Barello S EngageMinds HUB - Consumer, Food and Health Engagement Research Center, L.go Gemelli 1, 20123, Milan, Italy. serena.barello@unicatt.it.
- Falcó-Pegueroles A Department of Fundamental Care and Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Consolidated Research Group SGR 269 Quantitative Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Rosa D Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Milan, Italy.
- Tolotti A Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), EOC, Via Ospedale, 1, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
- Graffigna G EngageMinds HUB - Consumer, Food and Health Engagement Research Center, L.go Gemelli 1, 20123, Milan, Italy.
- Bonetti L Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland (IOSI), EOC, Via Ospedale, 1, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland. Loris.Bonetti@eoc.ch.
- 2020-09-05
Published in:
- International journal of public health. - 2020
COVID-19
Health personnel
Nurse
Pandemics
Physician
Psychology
Absenteeism
Anxiety
Betacoronavirus
Coronavirus Infections
Disease Outbreaks
Health Personnel
Humans
Influenza, Human
Pandemics
Pneumonia, Viral
Social Isolation
Social Stigma
Uncertainty
English
OBJECTIVES
During a pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are essential to the health system response. Based on our knowledge, little information is available regarding the psychosocial impact on HCWs or interventions for supporting them during pandemics. Therefore, the study aimed to assess available literature on perceived stress and psychological responses to influenza pandemics in HCWs and identify implications for healthcare practice and future research.
METHODS
This is a rapid review of the literature. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
RESULTS
Across all the studies-both qualitative and quantitative-HCWs working during the epidemic reported frequent concerns regarding their own health and the fear of infecting their families, friends and colleagues. Moreover, social isolation, uncertainty, fears of stigmatization and reluctance to work or considering absenteeism were frequently reported. Moreover, many studies highlighted a high prevalence of high levels of stress, anxiety and depression symptoms, which could have long-term psychological implications in HCWs.
CONCLUSIONS
This rapid review offers an overview of the major concerns regarding HCWs' psychosocial well-being and possible preventive strategies, which could be useful for the current COVID-19 outbreak and similar future pandemics. Studies suggested to invest on preventive psychological, social, family and physical support and to guaranteeing reasonable work conditions and others in order to protect HCWs from the long-lasting psychological effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are essential to the health system response. Based on our knowledge, little information is available regarding the psychosocial impact on HCWs or interventions for supporting them during pandemics. Therefore, the study aimed to assess available literature on perceived stress and psychological responses to influenza pandemics in HCWs and identify implications for healthcare practice and future research.
METHODS
This is a rapid review of the literature. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
RESULTS
Across all the studies-both qualitative and quantitative-HCWs working during the epidemic reported frequent concerns regarding their own health and the fear of infecting their families, friends and colleagues. Moreover, social isolation, uncertainty, fears of stigmatization and reluctance to work or considering absenteeism were frequently reported. Moreover, many studies highlighted a high prevalence of high levels of stress, anxiety and depression symptoms, which could have long-term psychological implications in HCWs.
CONCLUSIONS
This rapid review offers an overview of the major concerns regarding HCWs' psychosocial well-being and possible preventive strategies, which could be useful for the current COVID-19 outbreak and similar future pandemics. Studies suggested to invest on preventive psychological, social, family and physical support and to guaranteeing reasonable work conditions and others in order to protect HCWs from the long-lasting psychological effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Language
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- English
- Open access status
- hybrid
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1007/s00038-020-01463-7
- PMID 32888048
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/13728
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