Establishment of a psychological intervention mechanism for healthcare workers facing public health emergencies in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak

Int J Health Plann Manage. 2021 Nov;36(6):2424-2429. doi: 10.1002/hpm.3306. Epub 2021 Aug 18.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease pandemic is an unprecedented challenge globally. Medical personnel have been playing a leading role by fighting at the forefront against the pandemic and are the backbone of the fight against the epidemic. These frontline medical workers are under enormous psychological pressure and are prone to overwork and stress, as well as depression depletion, anxiety, insomnia, frustration, or self-blame in the face of patient deaths. Active psychological crisis interventions for medical staff fighting the pandemic are important protect and promote to maintain their occupational health. Based on China's experience, this paper describes the importance of organizational leadership, emergency psychological crisis interventions in pandemics, and psychological intervention measures for medical staff. It cites useful explorations from different regions and makes suggestions for establishing a sound psychological intervention mechanism.

Keywords: COVID-19; China; coronavirus; healthcare workers; psychological interventions; public health emergency.

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety
  • COVID-19*
  • Depression
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control
  • Emergencies
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Psychosocial Intervention
  • Public Health
  • SARS-CoV-2