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

The main occupational factors were working in a high risk environment, higher perception of threat and risk, specialised training received, and specific occupational role. Working in a high risk environment was associated with different mental health problems, namely depression, 46 anxiety, 46 52 60 77 PTSD, 28 72 75 81 82 and burnout. 76 The definition of high risk environment varied across studies, but usually included being in direct contact with infected patients, either providing care, 28 77 or being responsible for cleaning and disinfection. 52 Likewise, higher perception of threat and risk was also associated with a higher prevalence of a number of different mental health problems, including depression, 55 anxiety, 25 and PTSD. 63 72 81 Lack of specialised training was a risk factor for anxiety, 60 79 PTSD, 75 and burnout. 63 Some of the studies that recruited more than one cadre reported that specific HCWs were at higher risk of developing mental health problems. One study each found that nurses were more likely to develop PTSD 75 and burnout, 76 whereas one study 26 reported that resident pulmonologists were at higher risk of burnout.