Psychological considerations in the intersection of infectious disease with critical care medicine

ABSTRACT

The world is plagued by the novel coronavirus pandemic. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections, including the common cold and more severe diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Most people infected with COVID-19 develop a mild to moderate influenza-like illness. An intersection between infectious disease and critical care has affected critical care medicine as well as the ability to provide rehabilitation and psychological intervention. Working with an infectious disease brings challenges but also innovation. It has created a distance and barriers between clinicians and patients but also global connections within the critical care community. The response to the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in many positive outcomes. The requirement for post-critical care rehabilitation has never been more apparent, with significant media coverage and the publication of multiple guidance documents. Furthermore, the mental health impact of pandemics on patients, families, and staff alike cannot be underestimated, and for all the pressure and burden that it brings, the role of the psychologist within critical care and beyond has become more clearly recognized. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)