Mental Health Changes in Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies.

This study provides an overview of research findings on long-term effects on healthcare workers mental health and factors associated with positive or negative changes. Medline and PubMed databases were searched for observational longitudinal studies and 18 papers were included in the review (PROSPERO: CRD42021260307). 12 articles indicated negative changes over time and six studies revealed a positive trend in a variety of mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, insomnia, and others). Female sex, younger age, nursing occupation, frontline work, longer working hours and concerns about contracting COVID-19 were identified to be associated with negative changes. Conversely, a supportive environment, access to psychological resources, provision of sufficient personal protective equipment and availability of COVID-19 tests were linked to positive changes. Therefore, our findings can assist governmental and institutional authorities with effective interventions to improve psychological care for healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Evaluation & the Health Professions is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)