MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS DURING PANDEMIC OUTBREAKS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Authors

  • Dr. Usman Khalid Institute of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71465/jhmri34

Keywords:

Mental Health, Healthcare Workers, Pandemic Stress, Psychological Resilience

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, among other health crises, has significantly strained healthcare systems worldwide, especially impacting the mental well-being of frontline workers. This systematic review investigates the psychological challenges faced by healthcare workers (HCWs) during pandemic outbreaks, including anxiety, depression, burnout, post-traumatic stress, and insomnia. We reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024, focusing on pandemics such as SARS, MERS, Ebola, and COVID-19. Data were extracted from databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The results indicate a high prevalence of psychological distress among HCWs, exacerbated by factors such as long working hours, fear of infection, lack of protective equipment, and insufficient institutional support. The findings underscore the urgent need for structured psychological interventions and institutional resilience mechanisms to support healthcare providers in future outbreaks.

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Published

2024-09-30