Mental health of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak: A rapid scoping review to inform provincial guidelines in South Africa.

Journal: South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde

Volume: 110

Issue: 10

Year of Publication: 2020

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Community Psychiatrist, Sedibeng District Health Services, Gauteng, South Africa. Lesley.Robertson@wits.ac.za.

Abstract summary 

COVID-19 is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The healthcare response to the pandemic depends upon a mentally and physically healthy workforce. Infectious disease outbreaks cause high psychosocial stress among healthcare workers, which may impact negatively on workplace functioning. To understand which mental health conditions may occur and which interventions could be considered, we conducted a rapid scoping review. Using a 2018 systematic review as the starting point, PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science and MEDLINE databases were searched for any type of evidence published in English between 2014 and 2020 on mental health of healthcare workers exposed to infectious disease outbreaks; 19 primary studies and 13 opinion pieces were included. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and other mental health conditions were noted among healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 and other outbreaks. Although no effectiveness studies were identified, certain proposed interventions may be implemented by healthcare leaders. Further research is recommended.

Authors & Co-authors:  Robertson L J LJ Maposa I I Somaroo H H Johnson O O

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  4
Identifiers
Doi : 10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i10.15022
SSN : 2078-5135
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Anxiety
Other Terms
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Systemic Review
Country of Study
South Africa
Publication Country
South Africa