Mental health of healthcare professionals in Czechia during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Czech version

Authors: Jaroslav Pekara- ^1–3; Pavla Brennan Kearns ³; Miroslava Janoušková ^{3, 4}; Jana Šeblová ^{3, 5, 6}; Marie Kuklová ^{3, 7, 8}; Matej Kučera ³; Katrin Wolfová ³; Dominika Šeblová ³
Authors‘ workplace: Vysoká škola zdravotnická, o. p. s., Praha ¹; Psychiatrická nemocnice Bohnice, Praha ²; Ústav epidemiologie 2. LF UK v Praze ³; 3. LF UK v Praze ⁴; Urgentní příjem, Oblastní nemocnice Kladno, a. s. ⁵; Oddělení urgentního příjmu a LSPP dětí, FN Motol v Praze ⁶; Centrum perinatálního duševního zdraví, NÚDZ, Klecany ⁷; Katedra demografie a geodemografie PřF UK v Praze ⁸
Published in: Čas. Lék. čes. 2024; 163: 328-333
Category: Review Article

Overview

Healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients faced a high risk of infection, staff shortages, contact with patient deaths and their own risk of infection during the pandemic. These factors greatly affected their mental health.

This narrative review summarizes the results of studies published in Czech and English between 2020 and 2024 on the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of healthcare professionals in the Czechia. Of the 20 studies identified, 8 met the inclusion criteria. Studies describe symptoms of depression, stress, burnout, stigmatization, discrimination, and violence. The results show a severe impact of these factors on the mental well-being of healthcare professionals. Finally, we emphasize the need for preventive measures, including supervision, psychological assistance and support from management. An emphasis on the mental health of healthcare professionals is key to their protection and sustainability of care in crisis situations.

Keywords:

mental health, stress, depression, burnout, stigmatization, discrimination, violence, health care workers, COVID-19, Czechia

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