Volume 2 Number 1 2024
A Comprehensive Review of Mental Health Challenges and Interventions for Healthcare Workers
Naif Mubkhout Aldosari 1*, Atef Fahad Alqahtani 1, Yasser Marzouq Almutairi 1, Obaid Mohammed Alsubaie 1
Clinical Epidemiology & Public Health 2 (1) 1-13 https://doi.org/10.25163/health.2110352
Submitted: 10 June 2024 Revised: 13 August 2024 Published: 14 August 2024
Abstract
Healthcare workers represent the foundation of healthcare delivery, yet they face disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges that compromise both personal well-being and patient outcomes. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence on the prevalence, risk factors, and intervention strategies related to healthcare worker mental health. Studies consistently report elevated levels of depression, anxiety, burnout, and suicide among healthcare professionals compared to the general population, with the COVID-19 pandemic intensifying these issues. Key risk factors include excessive workload, long hours, moral distress, exposure to trauma, inadequate organizational support, and persistent stigma around help-seeking. Demographic and personal characteristics, such as gender and perfectionistic traits, further contribute to vulnerability. The consequences extend beyond individual suffering, leading to medical errors, reduced patient safety, increased absenteeism, and workforce attrition, thereby threatening healthcare system sustainability. Evidence-based interventions operate at multiple levels: individual-focused approaches such as mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy; organizational strategies including workload management, peer support, and leadership training; and system-level reforms addressing policy, cultural stigma, and resource allocation. Emerging trends highlight the potential of technology-enhanced interventions and personalized approaches to build resilience and improve access to care. Despite these promising strategies, significant barriers persist, including limited resources, cultural stigma, and methodological challenges in evaluating outcomes. The findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated, multi-level efforts to support healthcare worker mental health. Addressing these challenges is not only an ethical imperative but also a strategic necessity for ensuring patient safety, healthcare workforce sustainability, and overall system resilience.
Keywords: healthcare workers, mental health, burnout, depression, anxiety, intervention strategies
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