Abstract
Objectives: The overall objectives of this rapid scoping review are to (a) identify the common triggers of stress, burnout, and depression faced by women in health care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (b) explore individual-, organizational-, and systems-level interventions that can support the well-being of women HCWs during a pandemic.Design: This scoping review is registered on Open Science Framework (OSF) and was guided by the JBI guide to scoping reviews and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) extension to scoping reviews. A systematic search of literature databases (Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycInfo and ERIC) was conducted from inception until June 12, 2020. Two reviewers independently assessed full-text articles according to predefined criteria.Interventions: We included review articles and primary studies that reported on stress, burnout, and depression in HCWs; that primarily focused on women; and that included the percentage or number of women included. All English language studies from any geographical setting where COVID-19 has affected the population were reviewed.Primary and secondary outcome measures: Studies reporting on mental health outcomes (e.g., stress, burnout, and depression in HCWs), interventions to support mental health well-being were included.Results: Of the 2,803 papers found, 28 were included. The triggers of stress, burnout and depression are grouped under individual-, organizational-, and systems-level factors. There is a limited amount of evidence on effective interventions that prevents anxiety, stress, burnout and depression during a pandemic.Conclusions: Our preliminary findings show that women HCWs are at increased risk for stress, burnout, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. These negative outcomes are triggered by individual level factors such as lack of social support; family status; organizational factors such as access to personal protective equipment or high workload; and systems-level factors such as prevalence of COVID-19, rapidly changing public health guidelines, and a lack of recognition at work.
Highlights
COVID-19 pandemic-related measures, such as prolonged periods of social isolation, unexpected employment disruptions, school closures, financial distress, and changes to routine, are having an unprecedented negative impact on women’s mental well-being (UN)
Our preliminary findings show that women health care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk for stress, burnout, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic
This review attempts to answer the following questions: What are the common triggers of occupational stress, burnout, and depression faced by women in health care during the COVID-19 pandemic? What individual, organizational, and systems-level interventions can support the well-being of women HCWs during a pandemic?
Summary
COVID-19 pandemic-related measures, such as prolonged periods of social isolation, unexpected employment disruptions, school closures, financial distress, and changes to routine, are having an unprecedented negative impact on women’s mental well-being (UN). There is a systemic lack of evidence-informed services that provide timely, accessible, and high-quality care for HCWs during public health crises. This is especially relevant for health systems and professional societies who recognize the importance of preventing and mitigating stress, burnout, depression, and suicidal ideation in their workforce during pandemics. These interventions are essential for the well-being and retention of the health care workforce. This review attempts to answer the following questions: What are the common triggers of occupational stress, burnout, and depression faced by women in health care during the COVID-19 pandemic? What individual-, organizational-, and systems-level interventions can support the well-being of women HCWs during a pandemic?
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