Supporting Our Healthcare Workers During COVID-19
Introduction
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected the life and health of more than 50 million people across the world. This has overwhelmed many healthcare systems, and, of course, it has affected healthcare workers (HCWs) who are fighting on the frontlines. Exploring the issues that HCWs face during their fight will help support them, as well as, assist in developing protocols and plans to improve preparedness.
Importance of COVID-19
COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person. You can become infected by coming into close contact (within 6 feet) with a person who has COVID-19. Other ways of contracting it include touching a surface or object, as well as, by respiratory droplets. COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe, and there is unfortunately no vaccine to protect against it. According to the CDC, the best ways to protect yourself include: avoid close contact with others, wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth in public settings, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. In addition, it is essential that we develop long-term strategies to counteract the negative consequences HCWs are facing, because they are exposed to more of the virus than the average person.
Risk Assessment
During each wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals are flooded with both infected symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. HCWs are at the forefront of the treatment and management of COVID-19 infections, working in close proximity to the infectious virus. Due to the novelty of the COVID-19 infection, the healthcare system was initially unprepared, making HCWs an easy target for infections. According to a literature review published in the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, major factors for infection among HCWs include lack of understanding of the disease, inadequate use and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), uncertain diagnostic criteria, unavailability of diagnostic tests and psychological stress.
Impacts of COVID-19
Physical
Before this pandemic, physical inactivity was already described as a global public health problem. As a result of the current situation, physical activity and exercise levels have declined, as well as, dietary habits. Exercise restrictions have been the consequence of closed gyms, restrictions on walking distance, lack of space within homes, and lack of technical knowledge of the population on appropriate training routines. Effects on nutrition include limited access to stores, a poorer quality of food products due to the already visible impacts on family income, and overeating. As we know, both exercise and dietary intake play an important role in energy balance. This new reality can be extremely detrimental for HCWs because physical activity and healthy eating elevate a positive state of well-being, as well as, promote better sleep and increased energy.
Psychological
A study published in Elsevier Public Health Emergency Collection, examined previous data from SARS or Ebola epidemics, the onset of a sudden and immediate life-threatening illness could lead to unbelievable amounts of pressure on HCWs. Things that can negatively affect HCW mental well-being include: increased workload, physical exhaustion, inadequate PPE, transmission, and the need to make ethically difficult decisions while caring for patients. HCWs resilience can be further compromised by isolation and loss of social support, risk or infections of friends and relatives, as well as drastic, often unsettling changes in the workplace. Therefore, they are especially vulnerable to mental health problems, including fear, anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Resilience Tools for Healthcare Workers
Providing care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to stress, anxiety, fear, and other strong emotions. It is critical that HCWs recognize what stress looks like, take steps to build resilience and coping mechanisms, and know where to go for help. A few tips to cope include:
Communicate with your coworkers and supervisors about job stress
Take breaks when possible
Try to plan meals and snacks ahead to prevent overeating of unhealthy food
Remind yourself that everyone is in an unusual situation with limited resources
Identify and accept those things which you do not have control over
Increase your sense of control by keeping a consistent daily routine when possible
When away from work, get exercise when you can
What Employers Can Implement
Maintaining the physical and mental resilience of HCWs involves offering solutions and resources that will allow them to better perform their duties during an extremely stressful time, including:
Education and training
Incentives
Short shifts
Availability of personal protective equipment
Counseling opportunities
Staff feedback sessions
Wellness resources (i.e., physical and nutrition education)
How You Can Help
Say “thank you”
Provide moral support
Donate blood
Protect yourself, by doing this you protect them
Donate supplies when appropriate
Encourage selfcare
For more ideas visit:
https://nurse.org/articles/20-ways-to-support-healthcare-workers/
https://health.usnews.com/conditions/articles/ways-to-support-health-care-workers-during-coronavirus
About the Author
References
Ali, S., Noreen, S., Farooq, I., Bugshan, A., & Vohra, F. (2020). Risk assessment of healthcare
workers at the frontline against covid-19. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences,
36(Covid19-s4), 99-103. doi:10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2790
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). What you should know about COVID-19 to protect
yourself and others. Coronavirus Disease 2019. Retrieved Nov 17, 2020, from
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
Martinez-Ferran, M., de la Guía-Galipienso, F., Sanchis-Gomar, F., & Pareja-Galeano, H.
(2020). Metabolic Impacts of Confinement during the COVID-19 Pandemic Due to Modified Diet and Physical Activity Habits. Nutrients, 12(6), 1549. doi:10.3390/nu12061549
Pappa, S., Ntella, V., Giannakas, T., Giannakoulis, V. G., Papoutsi, E., & Katsaounou, P.
(2020). Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among healthcare workers
during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain,
behavior, and immunity, 88, 901–907. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.026
Santarone, K., McKenney, M., & Elkbuli, A. (2020). Preserving mental health and resilience
in frontline healthcare workers during covid-19. The American Journal of Emergency
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