Impact of viral epidemic outbreaks on mental health of healthcare workers: a rapid systematic review

Ignacio Ricci Cabello; Jose F Meneses Echavez; Maria Jesus Serrano-Ripoll; David Fraile-Navarro; Maria Antonia Fiol de Roque; Guadalupe Pastor Moreno; Adoracion Castro; Isabel Ruiz Perez; Rocio Zamanillo Campos; Daniela Goncalves-Bradley

Some of the risk factors associated with mental health problems while providing frontline care during infectious disease outbreaks cannot be modified. In this way, working in a high risk environment increases the risk of developing clinically significant symptoms, namely depression, 46 anxiety, 46 52 60 77 PTSD, 28 72 75 81 82 and burnout. 76 Likewise, it seems like specific cadres are more likely to report mental health problems, namely PTSD, 75 and burnout. 26 76 However this review also identified specific modifiable factors that can be addressed in advance and mitigate the risk brought by the aforementioned factors. Lack of specialized training was associated with anxiety, 60 79 PTSD, 75 and burnout, 63 and higher perception of threat and risk was associated with depression, 55 anxiety, 25 Continuous communication between HCWs and managers, including the provision of up-todate facts about the progression of the outbreak, can convey institutional support, 59 and promote the acquisition of knowledge and confidence for those HCWs who have less job experience. 75 Likewise, managers are essential to mitigate feelings of social isolation 50 63 and stigmatization, 44 especially among those HCWs who have to be quarantined. 13 The proliferation of online mobile-based technologies will play an essential role in promoting connectedness and decrease the feelings of isolation and stigmatization, 86 and can also be used for informal contacts between HCWs who are quarantined.