The mental health burden of COVID-19 on cardiac healthcare workers and their patients. (2nd October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murphy, Barbara M; Higgins, Rosemary O; Jackson, Alun C
• Is Part Of: British journal of cardiac nursing. Volume 15:Number 10(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2020-10-02
• Subjects: Cardiac healthcare workers -- COVID-19 -- Mental health burden -- Self care; Heart -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 616.10231
• DOI: 10.12968/bjca.2020.0129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1749-6403

Abstract

Abstract : The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on the healthcare workforce across the world and, with many health professionals experiencing high levels of exposure to the coronavirus, the rate of infection among healthcare workers is high. Documented mental health effects on these workers are also concerning, with higher-than-usual levels of acute stress, post-traumatic stress symptoms, anxiety, depression and sleep disorders, particularly insomnia. Cardiac patients are particularly vulnerable, and health professionals caring for this group face additional stresses. This article provides an overview of the mental health impacts of the pandemic on healthcare workers, with an emphasis on those working in hospital settings and in cardiac care, as well as on the patients for whom they care. The specific impacts of COVID-19 are also discussed, as well as associated social restrictions on cardiac patients, both during hospitalisation and early recovery, and in terms of long-term risks. Strategies are proposed that healthcare workers can adopt to help preserve and improve their coping and enhance their resilience as they work through this unprecedented and unpredictable pandemic.