How Can I Survive This?: Coping During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Medical ethics
• Psychology
• Public health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented stress for healthcare professionals globally.
• Challenges include responding to a novel virus without established treatments or vaccines.
• Moral distress is heightened by end-of-life care issues and resource scarcity, such as lack of personal protective equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concepts and features of moral distress in healthcare professionals during the pandemic.
• To examine individual resilience as a factor in coping with pandemic-related stress.
• To identify evidence-based mitigation strategies for moral distress.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and evidence synthesis.
• Conceptual analysis of moral distress and resilience.
• Exploration of mitigation strategies based on existing research.

Main Results:

• Moral distress is prevalent among healthcare workers due to ethical challenges and resource limitations.
• Individual resilience is a key factor in managing psychological burden.
• Solidarity, peer support, psychological first aid, and gratitude are identified as important coping mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare systems must address the moral distress experienced by professionals.
• Individual and institutional strategies are necessary to support clinician well-being.
• Fostering a supportive environment can enhance resilience and mitigate distress.