Abstract
The COVID-19 epidemic has mushroomed globally, disrupting the existence of millions. Under this current pandemic situation, the frontline health care professionals are looped in the clutch of the virus and are relatively more exposed to the patients infected with the disease. In this precarious situation, the frontline health care professionals have contributed their best to provide utmost care to the patients infected with the ailment. The direct involvement of these professionals, however, has taken a toll on their physical health as well as on their mental well-being. Several studies conducted recently have reported that frontline health care workers engaged in direct diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19 are associated with a higher risk of symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. Lack of personal protection equipment, unreasonable amounts of work, improper medicines, fear of contracting the disease, and lack of skilled training have interposed the frontline health care workers with unimaginable stress. Due to the widespread outbreak, the death count of the frontline health care professionals has also surged. However, studies exploring the physical and mental welfare of the frontline health care professionals and their families are very few and far behind. To address this aperture, the present paper attempts to highlight the psychological and physical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontline health care professions and to understand the impact of the death of these frontline health care professionals on the psychological well-being, mourning process, and complicated grief among the family members of healthcare professionals. The paper also presents some recommendations for providing psychological support to healthcare professionals and their bereaved families.
Highlights
Due to its unprecedented and unforeseeable nature, the COVID-19 virus epidemic has plunged the entire world into an indefinite zone
The present paper aims to highlight the psychological and physical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health care professionals and to understand the impact of the death of these frontline health care professionals on the psychological well-being, mourning process, and complicated grief among their family members
The virus has donned upon the frontline health care professionals to a larger extent leaving a deeper impact on their physical and psychological well-being
Summary
Due to its unprecedented and unforeseeable nature, the COVID-19 virus epidemic has plunged the entire world into an indefinite zone. In a pandemic situation, balancing work and life is a very exhausting and stressful task for the frontline health care workers It is very difficult for the spouses of the healthcare professionals to deal with the situation as they are in the constant fear of contracting disease. Wallace et al [29] have stated the major cause for not dealing with the complicated grief experienced is due to the fact that the family members are least prepared for the death of their loved ones In such a situation, support groups and counseling sessions should be provided to the bereaved families along with the ‘clapping campaigns” to reduce stress and overwhelming condition of the family members including spouses and children. The use of advanced information and communication technology such as smartphones, tablets and internet could be promoted (a) to maintain virtual connections among family members and relatives, (b) to broadcast the traditional rituals and funerals to those members of the family who are not able to attend due to restrictions, and (c) to organize post funeral activities (i.e., commemoration), care and sharing among members of family as well as those in the immediate support system
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