PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC��PRESENTATION BY: LIONS SIGHTFIRST EYE HOSPITAL

INTRODUCTION

• Covid 19 has been declared a public health emergency of international concern.
• The pandemic has led to an increased demand in the available human resource for health.
• Nurses and midwives in the country continue to be at the frontline in provision of covid 19 related services.

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PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT ON FRONTLINE WORKERS�

• The pandemic presents unprecedented challenge due to
• Increased workload for nurses and midwives as the number of covid 19 patients’ increases.
• Fear of contagion to self and onward transmission to family and loved ones.
• Scarcity of PPEs placing additional pressure on health professionals particularly due to fear of infection.

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It is important to note that;

• Feeling under pressure is a likely experience for you and many health professional colleagues.
• It is quite normal to be feeling this way in the current situation.
• Managing your mental health and psychosocial well-being during this time is as important as managing your physical health.
• Stress and the feelings associated with covid 19 are by no means a reflection that you cannot do your job or that you are weak.

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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BURNOUT�

• Sadness, depression or apathy
• Easily frustrated
• Blaming others and irritability
• Isolation or disconnection from others
• Poor self-care and hygiene
• Tired, exhausted or overwhelmed
• Feeling like a failure and believing that nothing you can do will help.

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COPING STRATEGIES�

Take care of yourself by:

1)Take adequate rest and have enough sleep

2)Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet

3)Practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques

4)Avoid using unhelpful coping strategies such as use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

5)Develop a buddy system: to support each other and monitor each other’s stress, workload and safety.

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6)Share experience and feelings with each other.

7)Use stress management strategies that have worked for you in the past.

8)Keep working hours reasonable with adequate breaks between.

9)Work in teams and limit the time you are working alone.

10)Seek support available as soon as you notice signs of stress and burnout

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11)Talk to family, friends, supervisors and team-mates about your feelings and experience.

12)Acknowledge tough situations and recognize accomplishments no matter how small they may be.

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If possible, stay connected with your loved ones

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THE ROLE OF MANAGERS AND TEAM LEADERS IN PROVISION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT

Keeping all staff protected from chronic stress and poor mental health by;

1)Ensuring that good quality communication and accurate information updates are provided to all staff

2)Partnering inexperienced workers with their more experienced colleagues.

3)Creating a body system to help provide support, monitor stress and reinforce safety procedures.

4)Providing access to training and capacity building opportunities on various aspects of covid 19.

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5)Implementing flexible schedules for nurses and midwives who are directly impacted or have a family member affected by a stressful event.

6)Ensuring that you create time for colleagues to provide social support to each other.

7)Ensuring that staffs are aware of where and how they can access mental health and psychosocial support services and facilitate access to each service.

8)Ensuring availability of PPEs for use as needed.

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THANK YOU