ABSTRACT
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a chronically stressful work environment for healthcare workers, increasing the negative psychological effects experienced. Aim(s): The authors of this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on frontline healthcare workers' mental health, using various psychological outcomes. Method(s): A systematic literature search was conducted up until June 30th, 2022 on MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Dissertations and Theses. Result(s): This meta-analysis includes 22 cross-sectional studies with a total of 32,690 participants. Anxiety (ES = 0.23, CI: [0.18, 0.28]), depression (ES = 0.17, CI: [0.10, 0.24]), PTSD (ES = 0.28, CI: [0.08, 0.48]), and stress (ES = 0.35, CI: [0.17, 0.53]) was significantly prevalent among frontline healthcare workers. Conclusion(s): Our results suggested that European healthcare workers were experiencing high psychological symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The monitoring of their psychological symptoms, preventative interventions, and treatments should be implemented to prevent, reduce, and treat the worsening of their mental health.Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Semmelweis University, Institute of Mental Health, Budapest.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respira-tory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The purpose of the study was to summarize the current recommendations and practice guidelines to be implemented in ophthalmology due to COVID-19. Study design: A systematic review of literature. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Clinical Trials.gov, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses until May 25, 2020. All conferences held through Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Canadian Society of Ophthalmology were also searched until May 25, 2020. Eligible articles were identified by reviewing the retrieved results. Results: In total, 57 records were retrieved from multiple databases and 0 records were identified through grey literature search. Ten articles were included for analysis. Rigorous hand hygiene, proper screening, and proper use of protective personal equipment by both staff and patients were strongly advised. Careful triage of patients upon arrival to facilities based on screening was advised along with deferral of any non-urgent appointments and implementing measures to limit exposure in waiting rooms. Routine disinfection of equipment, use of shields or barriers on slit lamps, and limiting the use of instruments and tests were strongly recommended and advised. Conclusions: The implementation of guidelines should be in place for ophthalmologic staff, facilities, and visitors to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 and promote a safer environment in ophthalmology. © Asian Journal of Ophthalmology.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study aims to assess the various psychological effects of the Coronavirus on those in isolation, the factors that cause these effects during the pandemic, as well as to discuss the recommendations and strategies that can be implemented to help reduce the negative psychological impact. Design/methodology/approach: Databases such as MEDLINE (Ovid), excerpta medica dataBASE (Ovid) and cumulative index of nursing and allied health literature (Elton B. Stephens Company), as well as grey literature, were used as a part of the search design to locate articles published on this subject. The search design was formatted in a way that aided in locating articles concerning a variety of mental health effects. Title and abstract screening and full text screening were conducted by two reviewers. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using AMSTAR2. Data extraction was performed by one reviewer and was confirmed by the other. Findings: A total of 28 articles were obtained, and of those, 11 were included in the review. From the data that was reviewed, the majority of the isolated individuals felt depressed and anxious. This negative psychological distress contributes to deteriorating health and quality of life in many people. Research limitations/implications: Few limitations include limited published research papers pertaining to the subject of the mental health effects of COVID-19 on individuals in social isolation. Therefore, this suggests the need for higher quality studies to be performed on this topic. Originality/value: This review provides a unique viewpoint on the effects of COVID-19, allowing for others to have a better understanding of the wide range of psychological impacts the pandemic has brought on. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.