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Strategies for the Psychological Support of the Healthcare Workforce during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The ERNST Study

Author

Listed:
  • Adriana López-Pineda

    (The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, 03550 Alicante, Spain
    Health Psychology Department, Miguel Hernandez University, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • Irene Carrillo

    (Health Psychology Department, Miguel Hernandez University, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • Aurora Mula

    (The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, 03550 Alicante, Spain)

  • Sofia Guerra-Paiva

    (Public Health Research Centre, National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
    Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Reinhard Strametz

    (Wiesbaden Business School, RheinMain University of Applied Science, 65183 Wiesbaden and German Coalition for Patient Safety, 10179 Berlin, Germany)

  • Susanna Tella

    (Faculty of Social Services and Health Care, LAB University of Applied Sciences, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Kris Vanhaecht

    (Department of Quality, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium)

  • Massimiliano Panella

    (Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy)

  • Bojana Knezevic

    (Department for Quality Assurance and Improvement in Healthcare, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Marius-Ionut Ungureanu

    (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400376 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
    Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy, Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400376 Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Einav Srulovici

    (The Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel)

  • Sandra C. Buttigieg

    (Department of Health Systems Management and Leadership, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta)

  • Ivana Skoumalová

    (Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia)

  • Paulo Sousa

    (Public Health Research Centre, National School of Public Health, NOVA University of Lisbon, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
    Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Jose Mira

    (The Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region, 03550 Alicante, Spain
    Health Psychology Department, Miguel Hernandez University, 03202 Elche, Spain)

  • on behalf of the ERNST Consortium Collaborators

    (Collaborators ERNST Consortium: Ahmed Novo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Andrea Madarasova Geckova (Slovakia), Miriam Ablöscher (Austria), Peter Tavel (Czech Republic), Peter Dieckmann (Denmark), Kaja Polluste (Estonia), Philippe Michel (France), Sigurbjorg Sigurgeirsdottir (Iceland), Mary Tumelty (Ireland), Augustina Jankauskiene (Lithuania), Neda Milevska Kostova (Macedonia), Artiom Jucov (Moldava), Rianne Wennekes (Netherlands), Gunnar Tschudi Bondevik (Norway), Basia Kutryba (Poland), Nebojša Stilinović (Serbia), David Schwappach (Switzerland), Veronica Lindström (Sweden), Pinar Ayvat (Turkey).)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of interventions to provide emotional and psychological support to healthcare workers in many countries. This ecological study aims to describe the strategies implemented in different countries to support healthcare professionals during the outbreak. Data were collected through an online survey about the measures to address the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of healthcare workers. Healthcare professionals, researchers, and academics were invited to respond to the survey. Fifty-six professionals from 35 countries contributed data to this study. Ten countries (28.6%) reported that they did not launch any national interventions. Both developed and developing countries launched similar initiatives. There was no relationship between the existence of any type of initiative in a country with the incidence, lethality, and mortality rates of the country due to COVID-19, and per capita income in 2020. The 24 h hotline for psychological support was the most frequent intervention. Tools for self-rescue by using apps or websites were extensively used, too. Other common interventions were the development of action protocols, availability of regular and updated information, implantation of distance learning systems, early detection of infection programs for professionals, economic reinforcements, hiring of staff reinforcement, and modification of leave and vacation dates.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana López-Pineda & Irene Carrillo & Aurora Mula & Sofia Guerra-Paiva & Reinhard Strametz & Susanna Tella & Kris Vanhaecht & Massimiliano Panella & Bojana Knezevic & Marius-Ionut Ungureanu & Einav , 2022. "Strategies for the Psychological Support of the Healthcare Workforce during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The ERNST Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5529-:d:807535
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Linda Matisāne & Linda Paegle & Maija Eglīte & Lāsma Akūlova & Asnate Anna Linde & Ivars Vanadziņš & Iveta Mietule & Jeļena Lonska & Lienīte Litavniece & Iluta Arbidāne & Sarmīte Rozentāle & Ieva Grīn, 2021. "Reasons for Low Protection of Vulnerable Workers from COVID-19—Results from the Quantitative and Qualitative Study on Working Life in Latvia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-20, May.
    2. Isolde Martina Busch & Francesca Moretti & Irene Campagna & Roberto Benoni & Stefano Tardivo & Albert W. Wu & Michela Rimondini, 2021. "Promoting the Psychological Well-Being of Healthcare Providers Facing the Burden of Adverse Events: A Systematic Review of Second Victim Support Resources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Holly Blake & Alisha Gupta & Mahnoor Javed & Ben Wood & Steph Knowles & Emma Coyne & Joanne Cooper, 2021. "COVID-Well Study: Qualitative Evaluation of Supported Wellbeing Centres and Psychological First Aid for Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-27, March.
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