Beyond the Pandemic: Long-Lasting Psychological Effects on Frontline Healthcare Workers

A comprehensive multi-center study conducted by researchers at the City University of New York highlights the persistent mental health challenges faced by frontline healthcare workers in Vietnam following the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, authored by doctoral candidate Thinh Vu and colleagues, sheds light on the significant long-term psychological impacts experienced by healthcare personnel, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted mental health support within the healthcare sector.

The research evaluated 462 healthcare workers and revealed that nearly 75% continue to experience psychological distress, including symptoms of depression (26.8%), anxiety (20.8%), and insomnia (23.4%), well after the peak of the pandemic. This represents a notable decline from pre-pandemic conditions when 85.3% of healthcare workers reported good or better mental health status. During the pandemic’s height, only 40.7% felt their mental health was good or better, with a slight improvement to 55.6% at the time of the study.

The study identified key factors associated with poorer mental health outcomes such as pre-existing physical and mental health conditions, deployment during Vietnam’s severe third and fourth COVID-19 waves, and work in field hospitals. Healthcare workers with prior mental health issues were nearly four times more prone to anxiety, and those working in field hospitals had more than twice the risk of suffering from insomnia.

Lead researcher Vu emphasized the lasting toll of the pandemic, advocating for the implementation of early interventions, sustained psychological support, and ongoing research to better understand and address the evolving mental health needs of frontline workers. "Recognizing their sacrifices and providing comprehensive mental health resources is crucial for their well-being and the resilience of the healthcare system," Vu stated.

The findings underline the importance of proactive mental health strategies to support healthcare workers’ long-term psychological health, especially in the face of ongoing or future health crises. Continuous support and research are vital to ensure that frontline workers can recover and maintain their mental well-being.

This study is detailed in the journal BMC Health Services Research. For more information, visit source.