How to Prepare Mental Health Resources for Future Pandemics: A Mixed Method Study in a Pediatric Oncology Ward During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Pediatric Nursing
; 48(6):296-302, 2022.
Article
in English
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2168768
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
Psychological distress in health care workers (HCWs) caring for pediatric patients with cancer was evaluated during the COVID-19 outbreak to inform future perspectives of mental health resources for frontline providers. Design andMethods:
A qualitative and quantitative mixed method study was conducted using a semi-structured interview to understand the occupational distress and dilemma of HCWs employed in a pediatric cancer ward. A follow-up survey was used to further validate results.Results:
Pediatric oncology HCWs were highly willing to cope with difficulties during the earliest phase of the pandemic. Still, nursing staff perceived more intense psychological distress in comparison with physicians and were challenged to maintain interpersonal communication. Nurses also felt incompetent to prioritize physical distancing. Their negative emotions were further exacerbated with limited help-seeking behavior and professional self-stigma.Conclusions:
To foster the mental health resilience and a self-care attitude in a vulnerable subgroup (nursing staff with less than 5 years of professional experience), it is important to provide a broad range of mental health resources, including institutional support and/or digital health tools (e.g., web-based decision aids, online cognitive behavioral therapy, and telemedicine) aimed to meet their diverse psychosocial needs. A series of individualized approaches might be helpful to promote frontline providers' stress-coping strategies as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful.
Search on Google
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
ProQuest Central
Language:
English
Journal:
Pediatric Nursing
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS