Title
Psychosocial support for providers working high-risk exposure settings during a pandemic: A critical discussion
Publication Date
2020-12-31
UMMS Affiliation
Graduate School of Nursing
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Health Services Administration | Infectious Disease | International Public Health | Mental and Social Health | Nursing | Psychiatry and Psychology | Psychology
Abstract
Psychological first aid is a form of support designed to lessen disaster-related distress. In a pandemic, providers may need such support but with the high risk of exposure, such a program is offered only virtually. The research is scant for traditional post-disaster support and non-existent for virtual; therefore, by using related research this discussion considers the likelihood of providers accessing and benefiting from this program. The virtual platform is heralded as the responsible way to provide support in a pandemic but this standard may be ineffective and is inherently inequitable. As a global event, pandemics require containment strategies applicable on an international level; therefore, psychosocial support should also be developed with an international audience in mind. Online psychosocial support falls short of being such a strategy as it incorrectly assumes global internet access. Many low-income areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa will need support strategies which compliment local frontline staff and fit with community-driven initiatives, whereas wealthier countries may use a combination of onsite and online support. Provider psychosocial support needs in a pandemic, if articulated, are globally similar but how this support is offered requires contextually sensitive considerations not yet found in the literature.
Keywords
healthcare providers, pandemics, COVID-19, post-trauma, psychological first aid, stress disorder, traumatic distress
DOI of Published Version
10.1111/nin.12399
Source
Plasse MJ. Psychosocial support for providers working high-risk exposure settings during a pandemic: A critical discussion. Nurs Inq. 2020 Dec 31:e12399. doi: 10.1111/nin.12399. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33382522; PMCID: PMC7883264. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Nursing inquiry
Related Resources
PubMed ID
33382522
Repository Citation
Plasse MJ. (2020). Psychosocial support for providers working high-risk exposure settings during a pandemic: A critical discussion. Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing Publications. https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.12399. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/gsn_pp/155