Frontiers in Public Health (Dec 2022)

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of rehabilitation area professionals: A systematic review

  • Sandra Bohórquez-Blanco,
  • Sandra Bohórquez-Blanco,
  • Regina Allande-Cussó,
  • Cristina Martín-López,
  • Juan Gómez-Salgado,
  • Juan Gómez-Salgado,
  • Juan Jesús García-Iglesias,
  • Javier Fagundo-Rivera,
  • Carlos Ruiz-Frutos,
  • Carlos Ruiz-Frutos

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1085820
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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BackgroundThe role of the physiotherapist is vital in the recovery of post-COVID-19 patients, but fear of contagion is a possible feeling among healthcare professionals. The objective of this study is to assess the mental health effects that COVID-19 has had on healthcare workers, including rehabilitation care, in times of pandemic.MethodsA systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA format in the Pubmed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases between July and September 2022. Keywords included were “healthcare providers,” “COVID-19,” “Mental Health,” and “Psychological Distress.” Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools.ResultsA total of 14 studies were included in this review. The study population was healthcare professionals including the rehabilitation services. In total, 4 studies reported exclusively on anxiety and stress levels in physiotherapists providing care during the pandemic.ConclusionsThe mental health of healthcare professionals has been compromised during the pandemic. However, initially, research was only focused on physicians and nurses, so the need arises to include those professionals, such as physiotherapists, who are also in direct contact with COVID-19 patients.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=367664, identifier: CRD42022367664.

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