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Developing a healthcare worker psychological preparedness support programme for the COVID-19 outbreak
Zukiswa Zingela1, Stephan van Wyk2, Aletta Bronkhorst3
1Executive Dean's Office, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa.
Summary
A psychological preparedness training (PPT) program significantly improved South African healthcare workers' ability to manage stress and support others during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention positively impacted mental well-being and coping mechanisms for frontline staff.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic caused global healthcare disruptions.
- Mental health issues emerged as an occupational hazard for frontline healthcare workers.
- Resource-limited settings faced unique challenges in supporting healthcare staff.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a psychological preparedness training (PPT) program for frontline health workers in South Africa.
- To assess the effectiveness of the PPT program in mitigating the mental health impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
- To provide support for healthcare workers in three resource-limited hospitals.
Main Methods:
- An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study design was employed.
- A group psychological intervention (PPT) was developed and implemented over 20 weeks.
- An audit tool measured healthcare workers' perceptions before and after the intervention, with statistical analysis to determine significant changes.
Main Results:
- 761 healthcare workers were supported during the 20-week program.
- Significant positive changes were observed in workers' perceptions of the outbreak, anxiety levels, stress management, and ability to support others.
- Post-intervention feedback indicated the program was beneficial for most attendees.
Conclusions:
- The PPT program demonstrated effectiveness in improving healthcare workers' stress levels and coping abilities during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Participants reported enhanced perceptions of their capacity to manage the outbreak and support colleagues.
- The study highlights the value of targeted psychological interventions for frontline health workers in crisis situations.
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