Mental health interventions for healthcare workers during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

Rev Psiquiatr Salud Ment (Engl Ed). 2021 Apr-Jun;14(2):83-89. doi: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2021.01.005. Epub 2021 Feb 4.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: In order to reduce distress associated with working with COVID-19 patients, several psychological intervention programmes for healthcare workers have been developed in Spain. We aimed to describe the main characteristics and components of these programmes for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients in Spanish hospitals.

Material and methods: An online survey was designed to evaluate the main characteristics of psychological intervention programmes for healthcare workers during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: Valid responses were received from 36 hospitals. Most of these programmes offered both in-person and online therapy. The most common aim of these interventions was emotional regulation, which was treated by psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioural techniques in individual interventions. Group interventions mainly used psychoeducation and mindfulness. Only half of the teams that offered in-person interventions received training in the proper use of personal protective equipment.

Conclusions: Several hospitals in Spain have developed mental health interventions for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, deploying a wide range of therapeutic modalities and techniques. The rapid implementation of these programmes during the pandemic suggests that safety may not have received sufficient attention. The planning and development of interventions for healthcare workers during pandemics merits greater attention by national and regional authorities and institutions.

Objetivo: Para reducir el malestar psicológico asociado a tratar pacientes con COVID-19, se han desarrollado numerosos programas de intervención en España. Este estudio pretende describir las principales características y componentes de los programas para trabajadores sanitarios que atienden COVID-19 en hospitales españoles.

Material y métodos: Se elaboró y distribuyó una encuesta online para evaluar las principales características de los programas de intervención psicológica para trabajadores sanitarios durante la primera ola de la pandemia de COVID-19.

Resultados: Se recibieron respuestas válidas de 36 hospitales. La mayoría de los programas ofrecían intervención presencial y online/telefónica. El principal objetivo de estos programas fue mejorar la regulación emocional. Las intervenciones individuales emplearon principalmente psicoeducación y técnicas cognitivo-conductuales, mientras que las grupales emplearon psicoeducación y mindfulness. Solo la mitad de los equipos que ofrecían intervenciones presenciales habían recibido la formación adecuada para usar equipos de protección individual.

Conclusiones: Numerosos hospitales en España han desarrollado intervenciones de salud mental para trabajadores sanitarios durante la pandemia por COVID-19, empleando una gran variedad de modalidades terapéuticas. La rápida implementación de estos programas durante la pandemia sugiere que la necesidad de seguridad ha podido subestimarse. La planificación y desarrollo de intervenciones psicológicas durante las pandemias merece mayor atención por parte de las autoridades competentes.

Keywords: COVID-19; Distress; Healthcare workers; Malestar psicológico; Mental health; Psychological treatment; Salud mental; Trabajadores sanitarios; Tratamiento psicológico.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Mental Health Services / supply & distribution*
  • Mental Health*
  • Occupational Health*
  • Occupational Stress / etiology*
  • Occupational Stress / prevention & control*
  • Psychological Distress*
  • Spain / epidemiology