Support from the Institution
Healthcare provider organisations and institutions have a crucial role
to play in terms of supporting healthcare staffs of all backgrounds in
dealing with the emotional effects of the pandemic. Financial, digital
platform, logistics and psychological services support may be required
according to the needs of every individual. Key mechanisms will be
discussed that could be implemented across hospital sites that may prove
useful to individuals on managing their mental health wellbeing during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Schwartz rounds are an evidence-based forum that allows a group of
staffs of all backgrounds to reflect and discuss their emotions related
to work matters.39 The positive impact of the Schwartz
rounds has been demonstrated, with feedback indicating that emotions
were acknowledged, validated and staff members took pride in being a
member of a strong supportive team.40.41 In light of
the present pandemic, this forum can be held on a virtual platform.
Greenberg and colleagues have described measures that may be implemented
by healthcare managers and individuals in supervisory roles to promote
and protect mental health among staffs. This includes utilisation and
enrolling staffs into pre-existing institution-based peer support
programmes.41
Considerations regarding a shift rota system in place of the regular
daily routine may be beneficial for healthcare
professionals.42 Breaks from the hospital environment
for surgeons can be implemented in addition to assembling a secondary
workforce from home, should a colleague need to be replaced.
Furthermore, psychology consultation and counselling services that are
presently being converted into telemedicine services via digital
platforms in many institutions should be easily accessible to staffs and
surgeons alike.43 Reiteration on maintenance of
confidentiality should be emphasised as advocated by The Royal College
of Psychiatrists. (table 1)
Chen et al found that mental health can be strengthened creatively by
setting up specific teams designed to provide psychologic support (i.e.
an assistance hotline team, an interventions team for stress-relief
activities and a medical team providing online
courses).44 However, the authors stress on the
importance of key resources that should be provided by hospitals (i.e.
comfortable place for rest, necessary PPE training and access to
COVID-19 guidance and recommendations). These measures were implemented
at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, the largest
tertiary hospital in the epicentre of the Hunan province to support
their staffs during the peak of the pandemic.44 The
relevant measures described above have been summarized in Table 4.