Psychological Status of Frontline Healthcare Professionals at the Outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan: A Narrative Case Series

Abstract

This study explored the first-person lived experiences of 2 nurses and 2 doctors combating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China. The in-depth interviews indicated that frontline healthcare professionals were at high risk of developing symptoms of fear, anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, and burnout. The fear of being infected and the heavy workload in the isolation ward are the main risk factors for frontline health workers’ psychological problems. Comprehensive assistance and social support must be provided in order to resolve their mental health issues.