Rapid Systematic Review of Psychological Symptoms in Health Care Workers COVID-19

Abstract

Background

Worldwide, health care professionals are facing unprecedented stress levels due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A rapid systematic review of peer-reviewed studies examining psychological symptoms in HCW working during COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. 13,999 participants were included.

Results

After 3,408 studies were screened for inclusion, 10 were included in the final analysis. About half of HCW presented with possible PTSD (i.e., scored above a clinical cutoff).

Limitations

An update of the search should be conducted.

Conclusions

These initial studies suggest a high rate of possible PTSD diagnosis in frontline HCW.

Keywords:

• Rapid systematic review
• PTSD
• depression
• anxiety
• health care workers (HCW)
• COVID-19

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the contributions and consultations of members of the Bereavement Network Europe including Orla Keegan, Tina Graven Ostergaard, Heidi Müller, and Ruthmarijke Smeding.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Clare Killikelly

Clare Killikelly, Ph.D., DClinPsych, is a clinical psychologist and Group Leader at the Division of Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, University of Zurich. Her research group examines the clinical utility and global applicability of the new ICD-11 Prolonged Grief Disorder.

Lonneke I. M. Lenferink

Lonneke Lenferink, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral researcher at Utrecht University and the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. She examines the consequences of, and care after loss and trauma.

Hanzhang Xie

Hanzhang Xie, is a Master of Psychology student at the University of Zurich. Her research thesis examines the symptoms of prolonged grief disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder in humanitarian migrants.

Andreas Maercker

Andreas Maercker, Ph.D., MD, is a full professor of psychology. His research interests are trauma- and stress-related disorders, clinical geropsychology, and cultural clinical psychology. He published more than 300 research papers and 15 books. From 2011–2018 he chaired the workgroup for trauma- and stress-related disorders at WHO for the development of ICD-11.