Mental Health in Health Professionals in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed enormous challenges to the healthcare systems worldwide, which are mainly shouldered by healthcare workers from all professions. This chapter outlines the potential stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic for health professionals and describes possible consequences for their mental health as well as potential interventions and coping strategies. The chapter is based on preliminary research on the psychosocial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic in health professionals and is complemented by findings from previous outbreaks of high-risk infectious diseases. High proportions of healthcare workers report acute symptoms of anxiety, depression, high psychological stress, and insomnia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping strategies and self-care on an individual level, interventions on an institutional level such as specific training and institutional support, as well as social and psychological support can help to mitigate psychological strain. Further reliable and prospective studies regarding the mental health of health professionals, as well as further measures to protect their short- and long-term mental health, are required.