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.