Not All Superheroes Wear Capes: Study Reveals the Mental, Emotional, and Physical Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Care Workers

The latest wave of COVID-19 cases have overwhelmed many hospitals across the country; and while health care workers are often stretched thin, they continue to provide quality care to their patients.

Health care workers are facing extreme stress and fatigue, working long shifts, and witnessing the detrimental effects of COVID-19—especially in those who are unvaccinated. Additionally, health experts from the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics indicate that the delta variant of the COVID-19 virus is easily transmissible, and many states are seeing increases in rates of hospitalization—particularly among pediatric patients.

In conversations with doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and physician’s assistants, many of them have expressed their own experiences with mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion as the world continues to deal with this relentless virus. Many have voiced frustration with patients; especially those at elevated risk for COVID-19 related complications who are reluctant to obtain any of the three available vaccines. Many have also conveyed experiences they have had with patients who are hospitalized with severe cases of the virus who put off getting the vaccine or thought they would never get the virus. While others have reported that they are seeing cases of patients who deferred routine health care or did not seek care for exacerbation of other comorbidities because the patients were so fearful of getting COVID-19 if they went to the doctor’s office or emergency department for medical care.

While the value and essential roles of health care workers across the health care spectrum are immeasurable, it is important that we all remember that health care workers are also experiencing the mental, physical, and emotional tolls of this ongoing pandemic. In a recent publication in PLOS ONE, researchers gathered evidence currently available from systematic reviews on the effect of COVID-19 and other coronavirus outbreaks on mental health for groups of the population thought to be at heightened risk of detrimental mental health impacts.

They found that more support needs to be available for hospital workers dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic since a global review of studies discovered elevated levels of depression, PTSD, anxiety, and burn-out amongst frontline staff.  The review was a collaboration between the University of York’s Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and the Mental Health Foundation. In addition, a panel of 6 UK health care workers helped the researchers to decipher results of the review.

The review also revealed that COVID-19 patients with other physical health problems, and children and adolescents are struggling with a host of mental health issues during the pandemic. In the review, researchers examined twenty-five systematic reviews. The researchers found that estimates fluctuated from 12% for anxiety in one review of health care workers in hospital, to 51% depression and PTSD in another review. The panel confirmed review findings on the significance of support from colleagues, clear communication in the workplace, and the need for resources and support for a shift to working from home for community workers.

In a news story, lead author Noortje Uphoff, a research Fellow at the University of York's Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, said additional support during outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic could thwart an increased burden of mental health problems in the population. She also stated, "Many people worldwide have felt the impact of the COVID pandemic on their mental health, but some groups of people may be more at risk of experiencing poor mental health than others.

“Health care workers may already have a higher risk of adverse mental health outcomes due to the stressful nature of their work. However, there were some indications that mental health may be further affected as a result of working on the frontline during an infectious disease outbreak. This review indicates which types of support should be explored to protect the mental health of healthcare workers and other vulnerable groups during this pandemic and any future coronavirus outbreaks.”

Conclusion

As health care professionals, we all understand the significance of self-care, and it is essential that all health care workers take care of themselves, so they are equipped to take care of their patients.

The results of the study mentioned above clearly illustrate the need for more support for healthcare workers. There is an excellent resource on the US Department of Health & Human Services website that provides health care professionals with tips for coping with stress and compassion fatigue.

A special THANK YOU goes out to the health care workers across the country and the world who tirelessly dedicate their lives to caring for their patients every day. You are instrumental in the fight against COVID-19, you are the real superheroes, and you are appreciated. Remember to take time out every day to take care of yourself, too.