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The Impact of Epidemics and Pandemics on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review

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  • Ottilia Cassandra Chigwedere

    (School of Public Health, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland)

  • Anvar Sadath

    (School of Public Health, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
    National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland)

  • Zubair Kabir

    (School of Public Health, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland)

  • Ella Arensman

    (School of Public Health, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
    National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
    Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia)

Abstract

Background: There is increasing evidence that healthcare workers (HCWs) experience significant psychological distress during an epidemic or pandemic. Considering the increase in emerging infectious diseases and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is timely to review and synthesize the available evidence on the psychological impact of disease outbreaks on HCWs. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to examine the impact of epidemics and pandemics on the mental health of HCWs. Method: PubMed, PsycInfo, and PsycArticles databases were systematically searched from inception to June-end 2020 for studies reporting the impact of a pandemic/epidemic on the mental health of HCWs. Results: Seventy-six studies were included in this review. Of these, 34 (45%) focused on SARS, 28 (37%) on COVID-19, seven (9%) on MERS, four (5%) on Ebola, two (3%) on H1N1, and one (1%) on H7N9. Most studies were cross-sectional (93%) and were conducted in a hospital setting (95%). Common mental health symptoms identified by this review were acute stress disorder, depression, anxiety, insomnia, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The associated risk factors were working in high-risk environments (frontline), being female, being a nurse, lack of adequate personal protective equipment, longer shifts, lack of knowledge of the virus, inadequate training, less years of experience in healthcare, lack of social support, and a history of quarantine. Conclusion: HCWs working in the frontline during epidemics and pandemics experience a wide range of mental health symptoms. It is imperative that adequate psychological support be provided to HCWs during and after these extraordinary distressful events.

Suggested Citation

  • Ottilia Cassandra Chigwedere & Anvar Sadath & Zubair Kabir & Ella Arensman, 2021. "The Impact of Epidemics and Pandemics on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-35, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6695-:d:579402
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sohyune Sok & Hyebeen Sim & Bokhee Han & Se Joung Park, 2020. "Burnout and Related Factors of Nurses Caring for DNR Patients in Intensive Care Units, South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Rupkatha Bardhan & Karen Heaton & Melissa Davis & Peter Chen & Dale A. Dickinson & Claudiu T. Lungu, 2019. "A Cross Sectional Study Evaluating Psychosocial Job Stress and Health Risk in Emergency Department Nurses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Joaquín M. González-Cabrera & María Fernández-Prada & Concepción Iribar & Rogelio Molina-Ruano & María Salinero-Bachiller & José M. Peinado, 2018. "Acute Stress and Anxiety in Medical Residents on the Emergency Department Duty," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-9, March.
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    2. Giovanni Veronesi & Emanuele Maria Giusti & Alessia D’Amato & Francesco Gianfagna & Rossana Borchini & Gianluca Castelnuovo & Licia Iacoviello & Marco Mario Ferrario, 2022. "The North Italian Longitudinal Study Assessing the Mental Health Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Health Care Workers—Part I: Study Design and Psychometric Structural Validity of the HSE Indicator To," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Teh-Kuang Sun & Li-Chuan Chu & Chun Hui, 2022. "The Psychological Impact and Influencing Factors during Different Waves of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers in Central Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-11, August.
    4. Katarzyna Gustavsson & Zuzanna Goetz-Kundera & Magdalena Flaga-Łuczkiewicz & Adam Wichniak, 2023. "Which Aspects of Work Safety Satisfaction Are Important to Mental Health of Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-9, February.
    5. Mariela Loreto Lara-Cabrera & Moisés Betancort & C. Amparo Muñoz-Rubilar & Natalia Rodríguez Novo & Carlos De las Cuevas, 2021. "The Mediating Role of Resilience in the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-10, September.
    6. Smriti Nepal & Sandra Bailey & Jamie Newman & Lachlan Wright & Natalie Smith & Michelle Dickson & Anna Williamson, 2023. "Social and Emotional Wellbeing of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-8, June.
    7. Takaki Tanifuji & Kentaro Mouri & Yasuji Yamamoto & Shinsuke Aoyama, 2023. "Psychological Distress among University Staff before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-11, January.

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